Madhya Pradesh: Violence reported during panchayat polls, one dead in Morena

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Violence marred polls in certain parts of the state with one person reported dead in Morena in Gwalior-Chambal region on Saturday as the state witnessed first phase of panchayat polls at 26902 polling booths of 8702 village panchayats across the state, according to officials.

According to the state election commission, as much as 67% polling was registered till 6 pm in the evening across the state with Neemuch being on the top of the chart with 84.90% polling.

Out of the total voters who cast their votes woman voters’ poll percentage which stood at 69% surpassed that of the male voters- 65%. Others’ poll percentage was registered at 4.40%, according to the commission.

Other places apart from Morena where violence was reported during polling include Bhind, Datia, Rajgarh and Niwadi.

In Morena, there were firing between two sides of sarpanch posts candidates at village Beelpur in Ambah tehsil leading to death of a man identified as Vinod Pachori, 50, and injuries to two others.

There was a report of firing at village Kanai ka pura in Bhind district when police personnel present over there foiled an attempt of booth capturing. A police sub-inspector Amit Sikarwar sustained injuries at another village during a stone pelting incident.

There was loot of a ballot box at Rampuria panchayat polling booth by a group of 15-20 armed persons at panchayat Bavadipura in Rajgarh district. The police had to resort to lobbing of teargas to control the mob.

An attempt of booth rigging was done at a polling booth in Niwadi district. Two groups of people clashed with each other with one of the groups accusing the other of casting about 500 fake votes. An additional police force had to rush to the polling booth to control the situation.

As per another report from Morena spouse of a woman sarpanch candidate allegedly consumed poison to end his life when a group of village Ruphati exerted pressure on the woman candidate to extend support to the candidate of their side.

As per the state election commission, the top five districts with poll percentage till 6 pm include Neemuch (84.90%), Sheopur (82.30%), Shajapur (82%), Indore (80.40%) and Sehore (80.10%).