[Watch] Cops Arrest Rajasthan Candidate Who Slapped Official At Polling Booth

New Delhi: The independent candidate Naresh Meena, who slapped an election official on camera during voting in Wednesday’s by-poll for Rajasthan’s Deoli-Uniara Assembly seat, was arrested Thursday after a “strategic” operation by a large police team, which included senior officers and cops in full riot gear. Minutes before he was cornered and taken into custody Meena declared to reporters “I will not surrender”, and called on his followers to “surround the police… jam traffic”

Videos shared by news agency ANI showed dozens of cops, almost all carrying lathis and shields, and wearing protective vests and helmets, marching down a rural road. Police vehicles and an anti-riot vehicle were also seen. “We will approach strategically… we will request him to surrender and not take the law in his hands,” Vikas Sangwan, the Superintendent of Police in Tonk district, told ANI.

#WATCH | Tonk, Rajastha: Police arrests Naresh Meena from Samravata VIllage.

Naresh Meena, independent candidate for Deoli Uniara assembly constituency by-polls in Tonk district, after he allegedly physically assaulted SDM Amit Chaudhary at a polling booth yesterday pic.twitter.com/v8meme4qsw

— ANI (@ANI) November 14, 2024

Meena’s arrest triggered more violent protests by his supporters, scores of whom gathered to block the highway outside the village of Samravata, which was where the ‘slap-gate’ incident took place.

A video posted on ANI showed dozens of cops in riot gear marching down the highway, skirting piles of burning straw scattered around them. “They were probably supporters of Meena. We have cleared the roadblock. The situation will be under control,” Brijendra Singh Bhati, Additional SP (Tonk), was quoted as saying.

A video that went viral showed Meena walking into the booth, grabbing Sub-Divisional Magistrate Amit Choudhary by the collar, and smacking his head. He landed two blows before the cops restrained him.

Meena alleged Choudhary contrived to add three extra votes at that booth.

“My plan was to visit every booth… but I found out the entire administration was working to ensure the BJP candidate will win. People were being forced to vote,” he claimed, “When I asked who was forcing them they said it was the SDM. Yes, I slapped him but I did it because he was doing something wrong.”

The police, however, had a different story; SP Sangwan said, “Some people were boycotting the panchayat election. The SDM and Tehsil officers went to convince them but, during the negotiation, the independent candidate (Naresh Meena) slapped him (the SDM).”

#WATCH | Tonk, Rajasthan: “I will not surrender,” says Naresh Meena, as police reaches Samravata VIllage to arrest him. pic.twitter.com/AN6T9qSQPf

— ANI (@ANI) November 14, 2024