The gram panchayat elections concluded in Punjab on Tuesday amid hightened security arrangements. However, the polling process was not all peaceful as there were reports of two firing incidents in the state, leaving one injured in both the cases. Congress MP Dharamvira Gandhi also demanded for re-polling here and alleged the involvement of a "particular party and politician" behind the incident of booth capturing.
A firing incident took place in Khudda village of Patiala district, where around 20-25 armed miscreants engaged in firing, injuring a person. Villagers also alleged that they captured the booth. Congress MP Dharamvira Gandhi claimed that the ballots boxes were broken and ballot papers were torn by unidentified people.
Demanding re-polling, Dharamvira Gandhi said: "An incident occurred there. 100-150 people, carrying guns and weapons, captured booth. They broke the ballot box and tore the ballot papers...They also fired bullets. A man was injured in the firing, he has been admitted to a hospital. This is an act of a goon...This is done by a particular party, by a particular politician...The incident occurred around 2 pm...We demand re-polling." He who visited the spot and also urged strict action in the matter.
Meanwhile, a police official told news agency PTI that 20-25 unidentified people arrived at the polling booth, allegedly manhandled the polling staff and left the ballot box they took away in a nearby field.
In another incident, a man was injured in firing outside a polling booth in Sohan Sain Bhagat village in Tarn Taran district. The victim, Mandeep Singh, was rushed to a hospital after getting injured. He is said to be out of danger. A police official stated that a scuffle took place between two groups, which turned violent, adding that the matter is being investigated.
Two groups also clashed and pelted stones at each other at a polling booth in Amritsr's Ballagan village. An unidentified person even tried to throw ink on a ballot box in Lohke Khurd village in Ferozepur's Zira, PTI reported.
Voting for the posts of sarpanch and panch through ballots began at 8 am and concluded at 4 pm. A voter turnout of more than 45 per cent was recorded.