Polling delayed due to EVM snags

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, January 4

Barring minor incidents of violence and snags in a few VVPAT EVMs, polling day passed off peacefully in Muktsar district. Voting got delayed at nearly 30 polling booths in Muktsar Assembly constituency. It was resumed after about two hours.

At Thandewala village, the EVM was replaced twice. At Jandoke village, polling began three hours later than the scheduled timing. At places where voting began late, polling came to an end at about 8 pm.

SAD activist Kulwinder Singh sustained head injury in a clash with Congress activists at Killianwali village in Lambi. He was initially taken to Community Health Centre, Lambi, and then, referred to Bathinda.

In another incident, four people were injured in a clash between SAD and Congress activists at Chhapianwali village in Lambi last night.

A verbal duel reportedly took place today between SAD’s Muktsar district president Dyal Singh Kolianwali and Manpreet Singh ‘Manna’ of the Congress. However, Kolianwali denied it.

At Dabwali Dhab village in Lambi, a SAD activist allegedly fled away -- after dropping Rs 6,000 -- when some Congress workers tried to chase him. They alleged that SAD activist Bhola was distributing money.