Violent Protest Mars Poll Proceedings
One person was killed and fifteen others were injured in sporadic violence in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal in the final phase of polling. While in Kashmir, demonstrations by separatists marred the polls.
One man was killed and 13 injured in election related clashes in three places in Tamil Nadu, including the state capital.
Police said that DMK member S Thangavel died after being stabbed during a clash between supporters of the state’s ruling party and AIADMK in Dindigul town, about 350 km Chennai.
In West Bengal, there were no major incidents except for Bhangar under Jadavpur seat where two people were injured in a clash between the two parties, police said. Reports of clashes poured in from the districts, but the incidents were minor in nature.
There was a bomb scare at the Garifa High School booth in Barrackpore constituency of North 24 Parganas. Bomb disposal squad officers, however, did not find any explosives.
Five outsiders were arrested from Salt Lake area under Barasat Lok Sabha constituency amidst allegations that they had come to foment trouble.
While in Kashmir, at least seven activists of hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference were detained by police when they tried to stage a demonstration during polling in Baramulla parliamentary constituency. The conference had given a call of poll boycott.
According to reports, the hurriyat activists were taken into preventive custody at Bandipora district town soon after they appeared on the main road and started shouting anti-election and pro-freedom slogans.
They were led by provincial president of the Freedom Party, a constituent of hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference, Imtiyaz Ahmad Shah, the sources said adding they were lodged at Bandipora police
