Two killed, 40 hurt as violence mars panchayat polls

JAIPUR: Two persons were killed and nearly 40 others were injured during the second phase of panchayat elections in the state on Sunday, which reported a heavy polling of over 80%.
The deaths occurred in Dausa district where members of two communities clashed during polling, reportedly due to old rivalry. “The dead have been identified as Vijay Meena and Padam Singh Meena,” said superintendent of police Devendra Singh.
The body of Vijay Meena was found near the roadside at Monapura village near Kot, 70 km from Dausa in the afternoon, he said.
“Seven of the injured belong to Mev community and were referred to Sawai Man Singh Hospital in Jaipur while eight others of Meena community were referred to Mandawar hospital,” the SP said.
Anoter clash occurred in Balakheda village in the district from where the body of Padam Singh was recovered. It was found 200 metres from the polling station, Singh said.
In Jodhpur district, over a dozen persons were injured at Ekalkhori gram panchayat under Osian panchayat samiti. According to sources, rival groups of two sarpanch candidates pelted stones at each other in which nearly a dozen people from both sides sustained injuries. A few of the injured were admitted to MG Hospital in Jodhpur.
IG (Jodhpur Range), Bhupendra Kumar Dak said supporters of a candidate, Amki Devi Prajapat, asked followers of another candidate, Khetaram Bishnoi, to move a little away from the booth, following which a heated argument took place. Both the groups pelted stones at each other. In order to disperse the mob, the police first resorted to lathicharge and later fired in the air. However, there was no suspension of the polling process as the entire episode occurred outside the booth.