Inadequate force deployment marks Saharsa Nagar Parishad poll

B N Singh Pappan

Saharsa : Saharsa Nagar Parishad and Simri Bakhtiarpur Nagar Panchayat elections were held on May 21, 2017, in the absence of adequate police force and snag in EVMs at several places in Saharsa district. In the Saharsa Nagar Parishad polls, about 63 % voters cast their votes while in Simribakhtiarpur Nagar Panchayat the poll percentage was 74 %.

The district administration ordered for lodging FIRs against two candidates and their polling agents for allegedly disturbing the poll process and making abortive bid to loot booths. Eighteen persons including a candidate were arrested during the poll in the district.

Absence of adequate force at booths under ward number 40 of Saharsa Nagar Parishad led to violence with supporters of different candidates accusing the rival groups of looting the EVMs resulting in exchange of firing by rival groups. Police also opened fire in the air to disperse the supporters of different candidates. Around six persons including a policeman Chandan Sah were injured in stone pelting by supporters of different candidates. Polling started slightly late at around a dozen booths under Saharsa Nagar Parishad due to snag in EVMs.