Sporadic Violence During Himachal Assembly Elections

Himachal This Week

The state assembly elections concluded in Himachal amidst tight security. The elections were conducted in a peaceful manner in the entire state. However sporadic incidents of violence on and before polling date were witnessed in some parts of the state. The voting percentage in state assembly elections increased from 73.51% in 2012 to 74% this time in Himachal. But the picture was not so progressive in all parts. Only one vote was polled in single booth Baan established for four villages of Sandhol.

Incidents of scuffle among party workers were reported in many parts of the state. Worker of the BJP and Congress entered into a scuffle with each other at Raipur in Una district over the case of tearing apart of posters and banners. However the matter was solved by immediate intervention by the police. There were also report of stone pelting by some party workers on a news TV channel team that was covering elections at Narwana in Dharamshala. The cameraman was made hostage by them for about half an hour while rest of the team ran away saving their lives. However no loss of life was reported in any part of the state in these incidents that marred otherwise peaceful election atmosphere in Himachal.

Two Injured, Four Vehicles Damaged In Doon

Two persons were injured seriously in a bloody scuffle that broke out between Congress and BJP supporters in Doon assembly segment after the polling was over.  Besides this four vehicles were badly damaged in stone pelting. The incident occurred in the Haripur Sandoli, village of sitting Doon MLA. Dozens of jawans of paramilitary forces and state police soon took control of the situation. SP Baddi too reached the spot immediately to restore peace in the area. MLA Ram Kumar Choudhary has registered a case in Baddi police station alleging attack on his supporters by opposition party workers. Cross FIRs have been registered by the police.

Congress Candidate Manhandled; PSO Seriously Injured In Sihunta

A serious fight was reported between Congress and BJP supporters at Patka Chowk in Sihunta area of Bhatiyat assembly constituency of Chamba district on November 7 night. Supporters on both the sides and Congress candidate’s PSO Kush Kumar received injuries and Congress candidate Kuldeep Pathania was allegedly manhandled. The police have registered the complaint of both the parties and initiated investigations.

* Scuffle between BJP-Congress supporters at midnight; Cross FIRs registered

* Skirmish between BJP-Congress workers in Barsar

* Congress workers enters into scuffle with each other in Barmana

Attack On News Channel Team

Supporters of a political party attacked a TV news channel team at Narwana in Dharamshala. The cameraman received injuries in the attack and he kept hostage for about half an hour. Members of rest of the team somehow managed to save their lives by running away from the spot. The political supporters however resorted to stone pelting on them also. Press Club Dharamshala has submitted a complaint to SP, Kangra Dr. Ramesh Chajtta in this regard demanding strict action against the culprits. Member of news channel team Rahul Chawla in his complaint has alleged that attackers were supporters of the Bharatiya Janta Party. The police have registered a case and are investigating the matter.

285 Complaints of Violations

The spokesperson of State Election Department said that the department received 12 new complaints regarded violation of election model code of conduct on November 8t. It includes four from Chamba district, one from Mandi, four from Hamirpur, two from Bilaspur and one from Shimla district. He said that the department has received 285 complaints of violations of election model code of conduct till November 8t out of which 273 were settled.