Violent clashes erupted during the ongoing process of election of District Youth Congress at the State Congress headquarters in Shivaji Nagar on Sunday.
Several representatives of Youth Congress were injured during the clash and parked vehicles were also damaged. City Superintendent of Police Habibganj Jayant Singh Rathore said that a vehicle, which was carrying 8-12 sharp edged weapons, was seized. During the clash no one sustained serious injuries and those injured escaped with minor injuries. The vehicle was owned by one Asha Kamble, who was involved in illegal liquor business and was absconding, he added.
When contacted Rathore said the situation was under control. Mild force was used by the police to pacify the situation and the process was completed in the presence of police force which was a preventive step for conducting the elections in a smooth manner. Rathore denied of any arrest made during the clash and further informed that the focus of the police was to maintain peace and conduct the election peacefully.
Party workers stone pelted and attacked with wooden sticks and iron rods in the clash. Earlier in the day when the voting was conducted, two groups of youth Congress had an altercation which soon turned physical after other supporters present at the State Congress headquarters joined the fight. The two groups which clashed were believed to be supports of Rahul Bharti and Abhisek Sharma.
‘Argument started over a petty issue and took a serious turn when both groups turned violent,” said party sources. The fracas continued for 15 minutes, affecting poll process and ended after police cane-charged to scatter them. Pradesh Returning Officer (PRO) of Youth Congress BM Sandip said, “The incident happened outside the polling booth and it did not affect polling.”