Violence During 3rd Phase PRI Polls: SEC, Dist. Admin Assures Of Exemplary Action
Bhubaneswar, Feb 20: Barring sporadic incidents of violence and disruptions, the third phase of Panchayat Polls in Odisha concluded peacefully, informed State Election Commission Aditya Prasad Padhi on Sunday.
Speaking to media persons Padhi said further decision about a few places, where the polling process has been affected due to some disruptions, will be taken only after getting detailed reports from the District Collectors. Preliminary estimate shows 71% voting has been done in the third phase, the SEC added.
More than 56.053 lakh voters are present in the areas where the third phase panchayat polls were held.
Reacting to the incident of attack on three Journalists in Binjharpur block of Jajpur district, Padhi said, “The SEC condemns the incident and has directed the Odisha DGP and Jajpur district administration to arrest the persons involved in the attack. Exemplary action must be taken against the attackers.”
It is worth to mention that earlier in the day three Journalists– Gulsan Ali Nawaz, Debasis Sahu and Bijaya Sahu were attacked by some miscreants near Booth no-2 of Bachhola Panchayat in Binjharpur. The Journalists were attacked while covering a booth rigging incident near Booth no-2.
Gulsan Ali Nawaz, one of the victim Journalists said, “The miscreants were trying to snatch ballot box and we capturing visuals of the incident. In the mean time, the miscreants attacked me black and blue along with two other journalists. The attackers damaged our car and took away mobile phone and other instruments. They also kidnapped me. However, after intervention of the police, the attackers released me.”
Rahul PR, Jajpur SP told media persons, “Strong action will be taken against the persons involved in the attack on Journalists after tracing them.”
Chakravarti Singh Rathore, Jajpur Collector said, “Without media free and fair poll cannot be ensued and a clear instruction has already been issued to the administration. The SP and I are monitoring the case. A special team has been formed to investigate the matter.”
The State Election Commission further informed the third phase panchayat poll was held for 171 Zilla Parishad posts and 18,495 polling centres were set up.
Being Maiost-affected areas, Mathili and Padia block of Malkangiri district and Phringia block of Kandhamal district polling concluded peacefully. Like the last two phases, the voter turnout in Malkangiri district was quite encouraging, the SEC said.
