The State Election Commission (SEC) in an unprecedented move condemned the SP of Mau for his failure to prevent violence during polling at Mishrauli village panchyat on Tuesday.
The SEC termed the SP’s conduct as ‘shameful’ for his inability to effectively control law and order in the district on the day of second phase of polling for village panchyats on Tuesday.
During the second phase of polling on Tuesday, the police and PAC jawan on duty at Mishrauli polling centre fled the scene after a PAC Jawan was injured in stone pelting by villagers. The SDM, Circle Officer, Inspector of Ghosi police station and polling staff saved their life by taking cover inside the polling centre. An irate mob stormed the building and assaulted SDM, Ram Dulare Pande, his orderly Ram Nakshatra Yadav and polling staff and later fled the scene.
``The incident in Mau was the direct result of extreme case of laxity and irresponsibility by the SP in discharge of his duty. The SP ignored repeated SEC directives for exemplary action against anti-socials for peaceful, free and fair conduct of the polls,’’ said State Election Commissioner SK Agarwal.
He added, “The carelessness of SP, Mau could have been fatal for the Sub-divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Mohadamadabad Gohna.’’
The SEC has decided to condemn the SP’s conduct to prevent similar recurrence in other districts in the remaining phases of panchayat polls.
Taking serious note, the SEC ordered the suspension of SDM Ram Dulare Pandey, Circle Officer Chiranjiv Mukherjee and Inspector of Ghosi, Rakesh Kumar. They were suspended for indifference to top priority work of polling, careless attitude towards duty and abject failure to provide leadership to policemen on poll duty. The poll panel has ordered repoll at Mishrauli village panchayat.