Polling Officer Attacked, Four Others Injured In Post-Poll Violence In Odisha

Kendrapara/Patkura: Tension ran high after locals attacked a polling officer, suspecting him of tampering with the VVPAT machines in the strongroom at Kendrapara College.

According to sources, the polling officer had unlocked the room to use the washroom but the locals got into a scuffle with him, misunderstanding the whole situation.

Cops deployed at the spot immediately intervened and rescued the officer.

Later, Kendrapara SP Niti Sekhar along with other senior officials reached the spot  and took stock of the situation.

Polling was held in Patkura Assembly segment on Saturday.

On the other hand, four persons were injured in post-poll violence in the district.

Dhanurdhar Mallick (40) of Tikanpur village sustained injures on his head and hand after being allegedly attacked by supporters of a political party while he was returning home with his wife after casting vote on Saturday. The victim has lodged a police complaint.

A similar incident was reported at a poultry farm at Bangari village in Talakusuma panchayat in which Ganeswar Nayak (54), his son Bilas (27) and his brother-in-law Dushmant Patnaik (30) were allegedly attacked by the assailants with knives and iron rods. Police have detained the prime accused, identified as Kanha of Talakusuma village, of the attack, the sources added.