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Lok Sabha elections 2019: Congress workers protest outside strongroom
The Congress workers alleged that they saw three people performing a ritual by lighting a fire at 11.30pm on Monday. They called up the police and complained that some people were practising black magic outside the strongroom.
Congress workers protested on Tuesday outside a strongroom where electronic voting machines (EVMs) have been kept in Bhiwandi.
The EVMs have been kept at Presidency School, Elkunde, on Thane-Bhiwandi bypass.
The Congress workers alleged that they saw three people performing a ritual by lighting a fire at 11.30pm on Monday. They called up the police and complained that some people were practising black magic outside the strongroom.
Suresh Taware, Congress candidate from Bhiwandi, said, “We have got permission from the election commission to deploy two party workers to keep a watch on the strongroom and its premises. The workers saw three men near a car carrying out a ritual by lighting a fire. They alerted me and I reached the spot.”
Taware said when they called the police, the three started pleading and said they were not performing black magic. “I am not satisfied with their answer and have asked the police to inquire into the matter,” said Taware.
“We handed over their identity cards to the police. The car was carrying materials for the ritual. This looked strange and so we complained,” he said.
On Tuesday, senior police inspector of Bhiwandi taluka police station Sanjay Hajare and election officials of Bhiwandi constituency visited the school and strong room and checked the security system.
Kishan Javale, returning officer of Bhiwandi Lok Sabha constituency, said, “We have CCTV surveillance near the strong room. We have sent a report to the election commission about the incident.”
An officer from Bhiwandi taluka police station, requesting anonymity, said, “The three men said they had come for some deal regarding a godown. After the deal was struck, they performed the ritual. We are investigating the matter.”
