80% polling in panchayat elections in Mendhar

PS Bali

Mendhar, June 2

An estimated 80 per cent voters today exercised their franchise in the 13^th phase of Panchayat elections under tight security cover at Mendhar.

A total of around 62384 voters, including men and women thronged polling booth to bolt the fate of about 418 Panches and 49 Sarpanches in Mendhar.

Men and women turned up in great number at polling stations earlier than the scheduled time and casted their votes in peaceful and decent manner.

Apprehensions of the previous phase of elections, where more than two dozen people were injured in clashes between two groups that occurred at polling stations, tapped authorities to clamp high security in the area. In this regard a huge deployment of cops was placed on job to maintain peace and order in the region.

To avert any mis happening and to ensure peaceful polling in the area, DC Poonch, Ajit Kumar Saho accompanied by SSP Poonch, Ashkoor Ahmad Wani remained active through out the day, instructing cops.

Notwithstanding high security, in the late hours of the polling, a clash took place between two groups at polling booth in ward no.3 of Lar Malkote, thus leaving 15 hurt, including five in critical condition.