Sporadic Violence Continues To Mar Odisha Rural Polls; Sarpanch Candidate Attacked, Clashes Leave One Dead, Many Injured

Bhubaneswar: Sporadic incidents of violence continued to mar the panchayat polls in Odisha. A sarpanch candidate was attacked while clashes left one person dead and several injured late Monday night ahead of polling for the fourth phase on Tuesday.

Miscreants allegedly attacked a journalist, identified as Sushant Sahu, who was covering polling in Anantapur panchayat in Athagarh.

Tension prevailed in Sana Adhanga gram panchayat in Kendrapara after a sarpanch candidate was attacked by miscreants late Monday night.

The victim, identified as Amiya Ranjan Sahu, was rescued from a nullah in a critical condition. He was rushed to a hospital in Kendrapara, from where he was shifted to SCB Medical College & Hospital in Cuttack.

In another incident, one person died in a poll-related clash in Jahangir village in Bhadrak district. The deceased was identified as Pratap Chandra Rout.

In Cuttack, nine persons were injured in a clash in Mania village. One of them is in a critical condition. Police have been deployed in the village following the incident.

The state recorded a voter turnout of 36 per cent till 11 am in the fourth phase of the panchayat elections on Tuesday. Polling, which began at 7 am, will continue till 1 am.