Panchayat poll: clashes mar 1st phase, 1 dead, 74% turnout

Polling was cancelled at Etmadpur Ajnera village in Agra following murder of a candidate who was shot dead in Shamsabad police station area late Friday night.
Moreover, a pradhan candidate was shot at by rival candidate at the Chira Sultanganj village while the voting was going on at a polling booth in Bichhwan police station area in Mainpuri Saturday morning.

Giving details of the first icnident, SHO of Shamsabad police station Pooran Singh Mehra said candidate Awadhesh Singh (30) was returning home with his supporters when Devendra Singh of the same village, and joined by ten others, stopped him on the way.

They had a heated arugument when Devendra allegedly fired at Awadhesh from close range who died on the spot, the SHO added.

Locals gheraoed the police station demanding the arrest of the accused.

The reason behind the murder is unclear as none of Awadesh’s supporters have given any statement, claimed the SHO. He confirmed that the election has been postponed.

In the other incident, supporters of Debu Yadav and Umesh Chandra alias Pappu Yadav — both contestants for the post of Chira Sultanganj village pradhan — clashed and opened fire at each other after voting started Saturday morning, Circle Officer, Bhogaon area, Tej Pal Singh said.

In the firing, Debu suffered gunshot injury on the head, added Singh.

Incidentally, while he was being rushed to the district hospital, Debu’s supporters met with an accident after the SUV they were travelling in overturned.
While the vehicle’s driver, Avneesh alias Rinku, died on the spot, another supporter Ajeet alias Bhura (and Debu’s brother-in-law) succumbed to his injuries at the hospital, police said. Debu is undergoing treatment and doctor stated his condition stable, said the circle officer.