INDORE: A polling party returning after the second round of panchayat election in Madhya Pradesh came under attack in Dhar district late Friday night. Officials had to duck under the seats for cover, but three persons were injured.
Subdivisional police officer Dilip Singh Bidwal said stones were pelted at a vehicle carrying the polling team in newly constituted Garwal gram panchayat of Gandhwani Janpad, around 125km from Indore.
When officials were counting the votes on Friday evening, supporters of candidate Bhangadi Bai began bursting crackers, assuming she had taken the lead. "Supporters of another woman candidate started pelting stones after she was found to be trailing during the counting," Bidwal said.
A while later, a bus, which was ferrying the polling team back to the district headquarters, was hit by a barrage of stones. A police vehicle was also damaged. "Windshields of both vehicles shattered," the SDOP said.
Mahesh Patidar, a member of the polling party, told mediapersons, "Polling and counting of votes at booth number 202 were concluded peacefully but when we climbed into the bus, some people started pelting stones. We somehow averted any major injuries by hiding under the seats."
The bus was ferrying polling parties of five-six booths back when it was attacked in Garwal village, he added. Dhar police have registered a case against candidate Resham Bai, Badaam Singh, Jitendra, Mahendra, Fitesh, Urmila and around 50 unknown people.
