By Express News Service
BERHAMPUR/ BHAWANIPATNA/ KENDRAPARA: More deaths due to poll violence and clashes were reported on the eve of last phase panchayat election in different parts of the State on Tuesday.
In Ganjam district, two persons, including a Sarpanch candidate on Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s home turf, were killed and 15 others injured in two separate clashes in the district during the fifth phase of panchayat election on Tuesday.
At Bramhanachhai in Naveen’s constituency of Hinjili, a Sarpanch aspirant, Bulu Pradhan (35), was killed late on Monday and at least 10 others were injured. In another incident, Pitambar Swain (36), a supporter of Sarpanch candidate in Mardhakote panchayat, was stabbed to death by his opponent groups on Monday night, police said. Five others were also injured, police added.
The 10 injured in Bramhanachhai incident were shifted from Hinjili hospital to MKCG Medical here, police said.
Meanwhile, the State Election Commission cancelled election to all posts, including ward members, Sarpanch, Samiti member and ZP member at Bramhanachhai following the law and order problem, said Ganjam Collector and District Election Officer P Chaudhary.
Forces were deployed in both the panchayats after the incidents. The situation in both the places was under control while voting in Mardhakote GP was held peacefully, Ganjam SP Ashish Singh said. The police were keeping a strict vigil on the situation at both the places, he added.
“We have identified the accused and they will be nabbed soon,” said Hinjili police station IIC PK Sahoo.
In the coastal district of Kendrapara, four persons sustained injuries in Mehindinagar gram panchayat on Tuesday when supporters of two Ward member candidates clashed.
In Karandiapatana village, some persons set on fire the house of Balaram Jena, a BJP supporter. “Police are investigating both the cases and all the accused will be arrested soon”, said Patkura police station IIC Debendra Mallick.
Tension mounted in the office of Kuhudi GP under Marsaghai block when supporters of a defeated Sarpanch candidate locked the panchayat office after taking away furniture, office records and other documents from the office. Marsaghai BDO Suvendu Samal said, “I received a complaint from some villagers about the incident and we are investigating the case”.
In another poll violence, district BJP secretary Mamatarani Samal sustained serious injuries when some supporters of the BJD assaulted her in Kansar village on Tuesday. She is now undergoing treatment in District Government Hospital in Kendrapara, said Sukant Divedi, district BJP president.
