Cuttack: At least four people were injured as violence broke out during third phase polling at a booth in Athagarh in Odisha’s Cuttack district on Saturday.
As per preliminary information, at least four persons have sustained injuries when two rival groups entered into a violent clash at a booth.
Sources the clash was reported from booth No. 115 at Radhagobindapur in Athagarh. Locals said the incident reportedly took place at the model booths that was established by the administration to facilitate voters to exercise their franchise without any trouble
The incident took place soon after BJD leader Ranendra Pratap Swain went there to cast his vote.
The booth is located in Swain’s own panchayat and the two groups were engaged in verbal duel first and later attacked each other with chairs and even exchanged blows. The BJD leader had to be escorted by police after he exercised his franchise.
Additional police force was deployed in the area and senior officials visited the site following the incident. The situation is now under control, police said.
The voting for the third phase elections in Odisha is underway for six Lok Sabha seats and 42 assembly seats.