Digital Desk: The election campaign vehicle of a woman sarpanch candidate was set on fire in Goudagaon hamlet under K Nuagaon police limits, putting the politically sensitive Ganjam district in the heart of pre-poll violence once again.
Bishnupriya Sahu, a BJD sarpanch nominee, was returning in her election campaign vehicle when the event occurred. All polling materials, including posters, sound boxes, and microphones, were destroyed in the fire. Police were alerted by eyewitnesses, who went to the scene and began an investigation. While Sahu was unharmed, her followers think it was the work of the party's dissident leaders.
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Earlier, violence erupted in the coastal area, with at least 15 people hurt in skirmishes over the filing of nominations for the panchayat elections. Over a dozen people have been detained for their alleged involvement in poll-related violence in Dharakote, Jarada, K Nuagaon, Hinjili, Gopalpur, and Digapahandi, according to police.
The district police issued notifications under sections 107 and 110 of the CrPC to nearly 10,000 mischief-makers spread over 23 police stations to prevent political violence during this year's rural elections. However, it did not provide the expected outcome. Political analysts urged administration and police to be more vigilant to check such situations with campaigning is on in full swing.
*Image attached along the post is for representation purposes only.
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