Jammu/Rajouri, May 4: Violence once again marred the sixth phase of Panchayat elections in some parts of Rajouri district, leading to injuries to 15 persons including two contesting candidates in Thanamandi block as supporters of rival candidates clashed and resorted to stone-pelting. Nine blocks—five in Jammu province and four in Kashmir division—went to polls on Wednesday.
The Election Department has ordered re-poll at six polling stations in Bharote Panchayat halqa of Thanamandi block. “We have ordered re-poll at six polling stations in Bharot Panchayat of Thanamandi after the supporters of rival candidates clashed and resorted to stone pelting,” Chief Electoral Officer B R Sharma told Greater Kashmir.
He however said that polling was peaceful at all other blocks with 80.50 percent electorates turning up at the polling stations to exercise their right to franchise.
In Kashmir valley turnout was 86.06 percent in Langate, 75 percent at Tangmarg, 85.40 percent at Khag and 80 percent at Breng. The poll percentage remained 84.90 percent in Reasi, 75 percent in Majalta, 75 percent in Billawar, 80.90 percent in Doongi and 81.90 percent in Thanamandi of the Jammu region.
Sources said that violent clash erupted between the supporters of two communities at Behrot Panchayat as one community didn’t allow the members of other community to caste their vote.
“The clashes forced the authorities to suspend polling in the Bharot Panchayat constituency,” sources said, adding that four persons identified received injuries in these clashes.
Violent protests were also witnessed in Tota Morha Panchayat segment where the supporters of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Congress clashed. Four persons identified got injuries in these clashes also.
In yet another incident of violent clashes, the PDP and the Congress activists resorted to stone pelting in Brown Panchayat segment, leading to injuries to four persons, including a Panch candidate from ward number 3 identified as Haji Muhammad Alam. He was admitted in a nearby hospital.
Later, the PDP supporters blocked the highway at Thanamandi for two hours, alleging bogus voting by the Congress supporting candidates. They demanded re-poll in Brown Panchayat. The higher-ups rushed to the spot and pacified the agitating protestors.
Similarly, Karyiot Panchayat segment also witnessed violent clashes where some Congress leaders were allegedly beaten up by the electorates for “interfering” in the election process.
Reports from Saaj constituency said that massive protest was witnessed during the counting of votes when a candidate of Sarpanch reportedly backed by the Congress party suffered defeat. “The Congress backed candidate was leading with good margin but he suffered the defeat at the end which irked the Congress activists who staged strong protest and even engaged in violent clash with the supporters of rival candidate. One of the contesting Sarpanch candidate, identified as Makhna also suffered injuries in the incident.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 4 May 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 4 May 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 5 May 2011 00:00:00 IST