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53% turnout in Muktsar, SAD workers assault Congman
A Congress worker was allegedly thrashed by SAD workers at Killianwali village in the Lambi assembly segment in the presence of party president Sukhbir Singh Badal.
Amid allegations from former chief minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal that Congress workers captured booths in several villages of Lambi constituency, voter turnout was recorded at 56% in Malout and 53% in Muktsar. SAD leaders and workers also cried foul over several incidents of violence in Muktsar district.
Clashes between SAD and Congress workers were reported from Lambi Dhab, Danewala and Kotli Sangar villages. Violence erupted in Killianwali, Bheetiwala, Lambi Dhab and Danewala in Lambi constituency from where a close aide of the Badals, Tejinder Singh Midhukhera, is contesting.
In Chak Giljewala village, 18km from Muktsar, SAD leaders claimed that some Congress workers attacked Gidderbaha halqa in-charge Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon and his aides. Dhillon claimed, “It is unfortunate that Congress leaders have resorted to violence. Strict action should be taken against them.”
Former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, who along with Sukhbir, toured several villages in Lambi constituency, said, “The Congress fears a rout in these elections and is resorting to violence to tilt the scale in their favour. I have seen outsiders with sticks and other weapons in villages. This kind of politics is condemnable.”
Sukhbir added, “It is the murder of democracy in the state. Congress workers captured booths with the help of police officers. Our workers tried to complain to police, but officers remained unapproachable.”
SAD workers assault Congman at Lambi
A Congress worker was allegedly thrashed by Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) workers at Killianwali village in the Lambi assembly segment in the presence of party president Sukhbir Singh Badal.
A video of the incident surfaced on social media in which several men who were part of Sukhbir’s cavalcade are seen chasing and beating up the man. Sukhbir was touring the villages with his supporters in the constituency.
Harpal Singh, a Congress leader, said, “We were standing in front of the village school when several persons who were with Sukhbir Badal came and started thrashing. They attacked our worker with sticks. ”
SAD workers were also accused of thrashing a Congress candidate’s relative when he allegedly tried to cast a bogus vote.
Poll party attacked in Muktsar village
In Sangudaun village in Muktsar, a clash was witnessed after Congress workers, attacked a poll party and snatched mobile phones of the staff. In the scuffle that followed ballot papers were torn. Meanwhile, some Akali leaders, including MLA Kanwarjit Singh Rozy Barkandi, reached the spot and a clash resulted. Some vehicles were damaged in the violence.
In Muktsar city, the police rounded up 10 persons from the hotel of Manjinder Singh Bittu, son of Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh. Bittu is contesting elections from Udekaran zila parishad zone. SHO Bhupinder Singh said, “We have rounded up 10 persons from the hotel. They were carrying a licenced pistol on them, which is a violation of norms. The pistol has been seized. Investigation is on.”
Meanwhile, in Moga district, an incident of snatching of ballot papers from the presiding officer was reported at Government Primary School, Rhode village, of Baghapurana subdivision. As many as 44 ballot papers of zila parishad, 49 ballot papers of the Baghapurana panchayat samiti were snatched and put illegally into the ballot box, it was claimed.
