Jhajjar, April 3
Large-scale violence was reported in various villages in the district during polling for the panchayat elections today. While three persons, including a polling agent, and two brothers were shot dead in Mandothi village of the district, clashes were witnessed in Naya Gaon and Orangpur villages. At least 30 persons were reportedly injured.

According to sources, polling agent Surajmal, son of Dhumad, was shot dead inside the polling station by a group of assailants. They also shot dead two brothers, Dharampal and Tejpal, sons of Bhanu, in Balmiki Colony of the village.

Police sources said family rivalry could be behind the incidents. The two brothers were accused in a murder case. The police suspect that the killings were the handiwork of contract killers.

The SP, Mr Haneef Quiraishi, along with a heavy police contingent, rushed to the village. The situation there is tense. The bodies were brought to the Civil Hospital, Bahadurgarh, for a post-mortem examinations.

In Naya Gaon, four persons received injuries when people of the opposite camp attacked them with lathis and blunt weapons. The injured — Amit, Sonu, Naresh and Karambir — were admitted to hospital.

The DSP, Bahadurgarh, Mr Inder Singh Saini, was also hit with a stone when he went to the village to control the situation. In yet another incident 25 persons received injuries when two groups fired at each other and threw stones in Orangpur village. Most were admitted to hospital with minor injuries.

The polling was postponed in some villages, including Kharar, Rewari Khera and Sankhol, due to various reasons. According to information, some ballot papers were stolen by unidentified thieves last night in Kharhar village, while allegations of rigging and bogus votes led to suspension of polling in two other villages.

KARNAL: Two persons were shot at and injured in poll violence at Chirao village, near Karnal, as polling for the panchayat, block samiti and zila parishad elections in 163 villages during the first phase was conducted in the district today.

According to Mr Ganpat, PRO of the district police, tension brewed between two groups at Chirao village in Karnal block following allegations and counter-allegations of rigging.

He said one of the groups fired shots that hit Mewa Singh and Surinder Singh who were injured in the attack. They were rushed to the local trauma centre where their condition was said to be out of danger, he confirmed.

There were also reports of minor scuffles leading to tension at few villages in Assandh and Nissing also. However, no casualties were reported.

Polling in the rest of the villages of Indri, Gharaunda and Nilokheri blocks would be held in the second phase on April 9.

Hisar: Stray clashes between supporters of rival factions marked the first phase of polling for the Panchayati Raj institutions in various villages in the district. The polling process had to be halted for some time due to the skirmishes.

In the first phase, polling took place at 200 polling centres in 170 villages under four blocks of the district. A number of rural voters stood in long queues even before the polling began in several villages.

Panipat: Over 85 per cent electorate cast their votes in Panipat and Israna blocks in the district during the first phase of Panchayat Elections today. No major untoward incident took place during the voting. According to preliminary reports, more than 85 per cent voters exercised their right to franchise. While no major untoward incident was reported, several voters in Binjhol, Jatal and Faridpur villages alleged that they were forced not to vote by the supporters of some candidates.

Mustfabad (Yamunanagar): “Every vote in panchayat elections matters”. Bridegroom Satish Kumar, supporting a ‘sehra’ and followed by 50 baratis, reached the polling booth in Sarang village at 10 am today to cast his vote. Those, who were queued up there, let the bridegroom and baratis exercise their franchise out of turn. Amrik Singh of Mustfabad block told The Tribune that a candidate for the post of sarpanch of his village had paid taxi fare for bringing his two daughters, who were recently married off in Patiala district, to the polling booth here to cast their votes.

Meanwhile, the first phase of panchayat and Zila Parishad elections in 179-gram panchayats here passed off peacefully this evening. A visit to over 12 villages of the district, which went to the polls today, revealed that the candidates contesting the elections did everything possible to make sure that their prospective voters cast votes.