Police, political party workers clashes in parts of the state

GAGAD, TUMAKURU, MADIKERI: Police resorted to caning to disperse a mob after BJP and Congress workers clashed during polling at Binkadakatti village in Gadag taluk on Wednesday.

Trouble started after polling agents of other parties started accusing a BJP polling agent of repeatedly stepping out and signalling to the voters who had queued up outside. They warned him not to keep going outside on and off and signal to the voters.

This led to an clash between both sides, prompting the police to wield the cane. In the melee, a Congress worker who tried to question the cops, caught hold of police officer Shankar Choudary by the collar prompting the police to thrash him badly.

The police had a tough time bringing the situation under control. Superintendent of Police B S Nemagouda visited the spot.

A constable was mobbed by Congress workers at t H Basavanahalli in Madhugiri taluk.

In another incident at H Basavanahalli in Madhugiri taluk of Tumakuru district, a police constable was mobbed and assaulted by Congress workers after he warned them not to campaign near a polling station. A YouTuber who was filming the incident was also assaulted.

At the Madapura government high school in Somwarpet taluk of Madhugiri district, paramilitary personnel assaulted a voter with a cane after he spoke in a raised voice to demand water.

Paramilitary personnel caned a voter who demanded water.

Voting was going on peacefully, and two booths had been set up at the school. Waiting in the hot sun, a voter spoke in a raised voice demanding drinking water. This led to arguments, and the paramilitary personnel hit him with lathis. Following this, the villagers vented their ire at the personnel and decided to boycott further voting.