EVM vandalisation: Case lodged against BJP's candidate; two arrested

Puri: Two persons were arrested by the police in Gadishagoda today in connection with vandalisation of EVM and VVPAT machine at Birakishorepur in Satyabadi on Tuesday. The arrested persons, Manoj Samantray and Akhaya Biswal have been forwarded to court.

Informing media about the arrest, Puri SP, Umashankar Das, said, “Yesterday when voting was underway, poll candidate Om Prakash Mishra along with his supporters forcibly entered the booth carrying arms. Locals and police present there overpowered two supporters of Mishra and nabbed them. One firearm has been seized from them.”

He further added that three teams have been formed and raids are being carried out to nab Om Prakash Mishra.

Earlier in the day, a complaint was lodged against BJP’s Satyabadi MLA candidate Om Prakash Mishra for allegedly vandalising EVM and thrashing the presiding officer at a polling booth at Birakesharpur village under Satyabadi police limits of Puri district.

As per reports, Om Prakash Mishra and his associates allegedly thrashed the presiding officer Sibaram Mohapatro after vandalizing the EVM and tried to flee the booth. However, locals managed to overpower Mishra’s two associates and later, handed them over to police.

Besides arresting the duo, police also allegedly recovered a pistol from their possession.

"Om Prakash Mishra and his associates barged into the booth, destroyed the EVMs and beat me up. They even tried to terrorise people by firing the pistol but failed as it slipped from their hand," the presiding Officer alleged.