Palpable tension prevailed in Choudwar area of Cuttack district following a clash that reportedly broke out between two factions of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), leaving at least three persons injured on Sunday night.
The incident occurred at Sardarkharda under Badasamatrapur gram panchayat (GP) in Choudwar police jurisdiction. The polling in Badasamatrapur GP is going to be held tomorrow in the fourth phase and the last day of campaign according to the SEC’s model code of conduct was yesterday.
As per reports, two persons from one group visited the area at night and were questioned by other group members about the reason. Soon a scuffle broke out as other persons joined in. Three persons suffered head injuries in the clash and were rushed to a hospital in Cuttack.
Later, one group lodged a complaint at Chowdwar police station. The police rushed to the area and inquired into the matter.
Earlier on Sunday, several incidents of violence and irregularities were reported during the conduct of the third phase polling for the three-tier Panchayat elections in Jajpur district.
At least two police personnel sustained injuries in the stone-pelting by the miscreants during a booth rigging bid. In another incident, the inspector-in-charge (IIC) of Gaisilet Police Station in Bargarh district, Birabara Bhagat allegedly thrashed a voter without any reason during the second phase of the Panchayat elections on February 18.