Chandigarh, July 3
While candidates backed by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) won most of the seats in the elections to 13,080 panchayats in the state today, the ruling party also emerged as the lead participant in majority of skirmishes reported from different places in the state.

The polling station at Khuddian Maha Singh village in Lambi block of Muktsar district witnessed a clash between two factions of the SAD. Both factions resorted to stone-throwing. Senior SAD leader Shkhwinder Singh Brar and his son had to be admitted to a hospital after they were cornered by a rival faction in Kotla Rai Ka village in Moga district.

In a separate incident, SAD MLA Rajwinder Kaur Bhagike was held captive by villagers of Patto Didar Singh Wala during the counting of votes. Prominent Akali leader Tota Singh belongs to this village. Rajwinder Kaur Bhagike allegedly tore ballot papers after she came to know that candidates backed by Tota Singh had won. Tota Singh also visited the counting station and lodged a protest against the incident.

Incidents of violence were also reported from Sarhali Khurd village in Amritsar over allegations of fake voting. Counting agents exchanged fisticuff in Bullarheri village of Sangrur district.