Poor response to repolling in Hanur village which witnessed stone-pelting, damage to EVMs

CHAMARAJANAGAR: There was lukewarm response to repolling at Indiganatta village in Hanur taluk which had witnessed stone pelting and damage to EVMs on April 26.

Till 3 pm on Monday, the booth had recorded only 12.69 per cent voting with one group staying away. There are 528 registered voters in the polling booth No. 146 from Indiganatta and Mendare villages and only 67 from Mendare had cast their votes despite the officials making attempts to convince the villagers.

Heavy police deployment was made to prevent any recurrence of violence. So far, the police have arrested 33 people from Indiganatta over last Friday’s violence. Villagers from Indiganatta had pelted stones at the officials who had gone to convince people boycotting the election, to cast their votes.

The villagers had boycotted voting over lack of proper drinking water and electricity. Some officials tried to convince the villagers and take them to the polling stations, but another group of villagers started ruckus claiming that the entire village had boycotted voting.

Soon, a clash ensued between two groups, which vandalised the EVMs and the furniture at the polling station. Some officers suffered minor injuries in the incident.

Villagers from five villages in Mahadeshwara Hill limits stayed away from voting over lack of infrastructure. They include residents of Indiganatta, Tekane, Mendare and Tulasikere.