Akali factions clash during panchayat polls; 10 injured

Ten persons were injured in a clash between two factions of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in Surjit Nagar village near here during the polling to the panchayat elections on Sunday.

Ten persons were injured in a clash between two factions of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in Surjit Nagar village near here during the polling to the panchayat elections on Sunday.

Cops trying to pacify Shiromani Akali Dal workers during a clash between two factions of the party at Surjit Nagar village near Bathinda on Sunday. (HT Photo)

Four of the injured are Congress workers who were trapped in the clash. The clash took place at about 12 noon when two SAD factions came to blows while polling was going for panchayat polls in village.

The panchayat polls were held for the first time in the newly formed panchayat near

Bhagta town. The two sides also resorted to stone pelting on each other. Two vehicles were also damaged in the clash.

One faction was of Daljit Singh and other of Sukhmandar Singh. The two have been claiming them as SAD candidates for sarpanch and had also pasted their posters with photos of senior SAD leaders during the campaign.

Deputy superintendent of police (investigation) Gursharan Singh, who reached the spot, said four persons were injured. He said a case was registered in this connection.