JOWAI, FEB 23: Just hours before the polling ended on Saturday, eight persons were arrested for trying to break the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) at Wahiajer – C polling station of 1-Nartiang constituency in West Jaintia hills district, officials said.
A group of eight persons came to the polling station. One of them identified as Ebun Shylla (45), instead of casting his vote, tried to destroy the EVM. The police personnel present at the station immediately arrested him and his accomplices, West Jaintia hills district Superintendent of Police (SP) Herbert G Lyngdoh said, adding that Comly War (47) was the main conspirator.
Others arrested included Firstwel Dkhar (48), Mi Shylla (25) Winiki Dkhar (24), Yuhiki Pyrtuh (28), Larsing Nongrum (45), Rilang Shylla (53).
It is learnt that the group are supporters of the BJP candidate. The SP however said: “Inquiry into the incident is going on and all the arrested have been booked under sections related to criminal conspiracy.”
Meanwhile, BJP has demanded a re-poll in the four polling stations at Wahiajer, accusing the Congress supporters of preventing the party’s polling agents from performing their duties during the polling hours.
“We demand re-polling in the A, B, C & D polling stations at Wahiajer,” BJP chief, HS Syiemlieh said in a letter to chief electoral officer P Naik.
“The Congress supporters did not even allow the polling agents of our party to do their duty. They even destroyed their appointment forms. It seems physical force was also used which resulted in injuries to some of our party workers,” he said, while expressing shock at the behaviour of the Congre supporters.
Syiemlieh said the party’s candidate from the constituency Veecare Nicia Lamare has lodged a complaint to the returning officer in this regard since the district magistrate and the police were of no help. (By Our Reporter)
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