There have been reports of violence in certain areas of Madhya Pradesh as the voting process for 230 Assembly seats is currently in progress. Media sources indicate that incidents involving stone pelting and firing occurred outside two polling booths in the Dimani Assembly constituency at Mirghan, located in the Morena district of Madhya Pradesh.
Preliminary information suggests that clashes erupted between two groups following an alleged gunfire. A person injured during the incident was promptly transported to a hospital for medical attention.
“We have yet to verify reports of gunfire. Instances of stone-pelting and confrontations between two groups occurred. Law enforcement promptly arrived at the scene and dispersed the crowd,” stated a senior police official to the media.
Dimani holds significance as an Assembly constituency in the state, with the BJP nominating Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar for the seat.
In another incident, violence unfolded in Manhad village within the Mehgaon assembly constituency of Bhind. BJP candidate Rakesh Shukla sustained injuries when stones were thrown outside a polling station in the area.
Allegedly, Shukla encountered a situation where individuals hurled stones, with one striking his leg. In response to the attack, Rakesh Shukla’s security personnel discharged two shots into the air, successfully extracting Shukla from the scene.
Similarly, on Thursday (November 16) night, a reported clash ensued between Congress and BJP workers in the Rau Assembly constituency in Indore. According to the police, the altercation involved supporters of Congress candidate Jitu Patwari and BJP candidate Madhu Verma.
Law enforcement had to employ force to disperse the gathering.
Simultaneously, polling commenced for all 230 Assembly seats in Madhya Pradesh on Friday, November 17, at 7 am, with 2,533 candidates, including state Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and his predecessor Kamal Nath, vying for positions. In Madhya Pradesh, the Election Commission of India reported an approximately 28 per cent voter turnout by 11 am. Vote counting in the state is scheduled for December 3.
