 |
|
The by-election for the Deoli-Uniara assembly constituency in Rajasthan's Tonk district has been marred by violence and political tension following the arrest of independent candidate Naresh Meena. Meena was arrested on Thursday after allegedly slapping sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Amit Chaudhary outside a polling booth during the election process. The incident, captured on video, sparked outrage and led to a series of protests by Meena's supporters.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, when Meena, who was contesting the by-election, attempted to enter the polling station in the Samraota area. Meena alleged that the SDM had facilitated fraudulent voting by three individuals and that his election symbol on the electronic voting machine (EVM) was unclear, making it difficult for his supporters to identify it. This claim, however, was not corroborated by official sources.
Following the altercation with the SDM, Meena's supporters took to the streets, setting fire to the state highway outside Samravata village and engaging in stone-pelting and arson. The unrest resulted in the arrest of around 60 individuals. Ajmer Range Inspector General (IG) Om Prakash confirmed that multiple vehicles were damaged during the violence and that police were investigating the incident.
The incident highlights the escalation of political tension in Rajasthan, where by-elections often witness intense campaigning and occasional violence. The arrest of Meena has further fueled the controversy, with his supporters demanding action against the SDM and claiming that he was wrongly accused. The incident also raises concerns about the security of election officials and the potential for violence during future elections.
The Rajasthan government has condemned the violence and assured the public that strict action would be taken against those responsible. Police are investigating the incident and will likely file charges against both Meena and his supporters. The case serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by election-related violence and the need for robust security measures to ensure peaceful and fair elections.
Source: SDM slap row: Rajasthan Police arrest independent candidate Naresh Meena