AAP-SAD workers clash in Maur during last hours of polling

Nikhila Pant Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, February 4

Supporters of Aam Aadmi Party candidate Jagdev Singh Kamalu and those of Shiromani Akali Dal candidate Janmeja Singh Sekhon clashed during the last hour of polling at Maur.

The clash, which occurred at the polling booth set up at Government Girls Senior Secondary School in Maur was contained by the police. As per information, SAD supporter Sandeep Singh, AAP’s Swaranjit Singh and Congress supporter Ankur were deputed as polling agents.

Around 4 pm, male and female voters tried to enter the polling booth without showing any identification proof. The matter escalated as the polling agents accused each other of trying to cast fake votes in favour of their candidates.

As the supporters came to blows, a large number of people gathered outside the polling station. Sensing trouble, Bathinda SSP Swapan Sharma reached the spot. The police recorded statements of Congress and AAP workers.

Meanwhile, Sandeep Singh, who is also a councillor in Maur, managed to leave the spot. AAP’s candidate Jagdev Singh Kamalu and Congress’s Harminder Singh Jassi also reached the spot to take stock of the situation.

In another case, AAP and SAD workers clashed in Maiserkhana over the issue of taking an elderly voter to the polling booth.

The supporters accused each other of trying to influence voters by ferrying them to the polling booths.

Minor skirmishes and scuffles between party workers were also recorded in the constituency last night as supporters accused each other of trying to lure voters by distributing liquor and cash among voters.