Chaos as shots fired, stones thrown; 2 hurt

Jalandhar, February 14

Unruly scenes were witnessed at Sultanpur Lodhi where a group of men resorted to stone pelting and fired into the air at booth No.1 of ward No. 1 , minutes before polling was to end.

At least two persons were injured when a mob threw stones and opened fire while trying to enter the booth.

While the SAD claimed the violence was started by Congress workers in a bid to case fake ballots, the latter alleged its workers were at receiving end. Later, SAD leaders gathered at the Talwandi Chowk and held a dharna.

SAD’s Sajjan Singh Cheema said: “At 3.45 pm a group of men gathered outside the booth. Despite repeated calls to the SDM, DSP and SHO, the crowd swelled, leading to a clash. Many of them entered the booth as the police watched and then attacked voters. The police tried to push them away, but they fired into the air and threw stones at people.”

“We left the place after the police assured us that the perpetrators will be booked,” he added. Sultanpur Lodhi Congress MLA Navtej Cheema said: “Our workers didn’t start the violence. Rather, they were attacked.”

SHO Harjit Singh, who was manhandled by the mob, said: “It was a clash between Congress and Akali workers.” SSP Kanwardeep Kaur said 15 persons had been booked under Sections 336, 148, 149 and 188, IPC, based on video evidence and witness statements. — TNS