Stray incidents of violence reported

Sukhmeet Bhasin
Tribune News Service
Bathinda, May 19

Barring a few incidents of violence, heated arguments and allegations of distribution of cash and liquor in some places, polling in the Bathinda parliamentary constituency remained peaceful.

In the Lal Singh Basti area in the evening, a SAD worker, Sukhman Sandhu, opened fire at Congress workers. But, no causality was reported. The SAD worker was immediately nabbed by the police. Besides, his illegal revolver was also seized.

Bathinda SSP Dr Nanak Singh said, “A firing incident was reported from Lal Singh Basti. The police have arrested the accused and an illegal weapon from which the bullet was fired has also been seized.”

Even complaints of cash and liquor distribution were received by the complaint cell of the Election Commission. 

Complaint cell in-charge Harjinder Jassal, who is also District Development and Panchayat Officer, said, “On polling day, we received around 10 complaints of liquor and cash distribution.”

He said most of these complaints were from Bathinda (Urban) and Maur Assembly segments.

At few polling stations, voting started late due to technical problems in EVMs, while at some booths, voting got delayed as polling agents of parties reached late.

Tension prevailed in Goniana Mandi in the Bucho Assembly segment when a SAD councillor alleged that an attempt was made to kidnap him, leading to heated argument among Congress and SAD workers. 

The police intervene and disperse the gathered crowd from the spot. After that, police personnel headed by the SP took out a march to maintain the law and order situation.

SAD councillor Ramesh Kumar Matoo alleged that even on Saturday night, a bid was made to kidnap him and he had lodged a complaint with the Nehiawala police station. He said on Sunday morning, a few persons came in a car and tried to kidnap him near the railway crossing. The SAD councillor added that he saved himself by entering a nearby house. 

He alleged that Goniana Congress leaders were behind the incident. On this complaint, the Nehiawala police have registered a case in this regard.