Allege booth-capturing by Cong workers

Nikhil Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 19

Polling agents of the SAD were reportedly attacked by workers of the Congress at Budhewal and Detwal villages.

At Buddhewal village in Sahnewal, there was a clash between workers of the Akali Dal and the Congress. Two persons reportedly suffered minor injuries. The clash reportedly started after a polling agent of SAD candidate Tajinder Singh was attacked by Congress worker Balvir Singh. Tajinder and his brother Narinder suffered injuries.

The SAD MLA from Sahnewal, Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, also visited the Civil Hospital, Sahnewal, to inquire after the injured workers. He lambasted at the Congress for using muscle power to win the elections. He alleged that as the Congress workers tried to capture the booth, they attacked the polling agent of the SAD.

The Jamalpur police reached the spot and started investigation.

Sources said while Tajinder was admitted to Civil Hospital, Narinder was discharged after first aid.

“Being polling agent of the SAD, we were peacefully discharging our duty. The Congress workers barged into the booth and attacked us. They captured the booth and started casting fake votes in the presence of the police. When we protested their move, they attacked us,” Tajinder alleged.

Jamalpur SHO Ravinderpal Singh said the Ramgarh police post had started investigation into the allegations levelled by the polling agents.

SAD-Cong workers come face to face

Workers of the SAD and the Congress came face to face at a polling booth set up in MD Public School on Kakowal Road. The Basti Jodhewal police reached the spot and started investigation.

The police calmed down both parties and election process continued as normal. Akali Sarpanch from Kakowal village Maninder Singh alleged that the Congress had captured the booth in the morning and they cast many fake votes there.

“When I reached there, Congress workers were inside the booth and were casting fake votes. Even an ASI rank official of the Meharban police station helped the Congress workers in casting fake votes. When we asked the ASI, he did not entertain our query. In the meantime, the Basti Jodhewal police reached the spot and the Congress workers left,” he alleged.