Alleging booth rigging by the ruling BJD, scores of BJP activists on Saturday staged a demonstration in front of Ramchandrapur police station at Bari in Jajpur district. Earlier, a clash broke out between BJD and BJP workers at Sahupada booth no 106. Later, the BJP activists staged the demonstration in connection with the incident.
Debanshu Sahu, an Armed Force personnel, who had come to cast his vote along with his family, was allegedly attacked by some BJD workers. The injured sepoy alleged, "I had come to vote along with two other family members. Some BJD activists attacked me with wooden planks. I have sustained injuries in head. When two of my brothers rushed to the spot to rescue me, they attacked them. I want immediate arrest of those involved in the attack."
Another injured said, “We had gone to vote, but BJD activists did not allow us to vote and attacked us. There was no security other hand a non-Odia personnel. Despite complaint, no action is being taken by the police.”
Asutosh Parida, a BJP leader said, "Voting started at 7 am, first two BJP agents were beaten up Kaharanganda booth and drove them out. We spoke to SP and Collector and they were allowed. We are getting complaints that rigging is happening in 12 booths. An Army personnel was also not spared and it shows that common people are being deprived to exercise their franchise."
According to Parida, it is a conspiracy to derail the election process. “The is murder of democracy in Bari and we are demanding repolling in 42 booths. We demand registration of case in connection with the attack on the Army personnel,” he added.
Meanwhile, the district administration officials or BJD could not be contacted over the allegations.