Tensions flared in Punjab's Malout constituency on Thursday, a day after a major disruption during municipal elections, as police officially registered a case of rioting. The incident, which involved the snatching of ballot papers from a polling booth, has cast a shadow over the electoral process in the area.
Chaos at the Polling Booth
The core of the controversy stems from events that unfolded on Wednesday, February 14, during the voting for municipal council elections. According to police reports, a group of individuals allegedly stormed a polling booth set up at the local Government Primary School in Ward Number 13. In the ensuing melee, they snatched a bundle of ballot papers, creating panic and bringing the voting process to a temporary halt.
Following the incident, a formal complaint was lodged by the presiding officer of the polling booth. Based on this complaint, the Malout City police have now taken decisive action by filing a First Information Report (FIR). The case has been registered under several serious sections of the Indian Penal Code, most notably Section 147 (punishment for rioting) and Section 342 (punishment for wrongful confinement).
Police Identify Key Suspects
The police investigation has swiftly moved to pinpoint those allegedly responsible for the election day chaos. The FIR names Gurmeet Singh, a resident of Mohalla Ishar Nagar in Malout, as the primary accused in the case. Authorities have identified him as a key figure in the alleged snatching incident.
Furthermore, the complaint mentions that Gurmeet Singh was not acting alone. The FIR states that he was accompanied by 10-15 other unidentified associates who participated in the act. Police are currently working to identify these individuals through video footage and eyewitness accounts from the polling station.
Aftermath and Ongoing Investigation
The filing of the rioting case marks a significant escalation in the legal response to the election disturbance. The Malout police have confirmed that a thorough investigation is now underway. Their immediate focus is on gathering concrete evidence, tracking down all individuals involved, and understanding the full sequence of events and the motive behind the ballot paper snatching.
This incident has raised serious concerns about the security and integrity of the electoral process at the local level. It highlights the challenges faced by election officials in maintaining order and ensuring a free and fair vote. The case continues to develop as police pursue leads to apprehend the named accused and his accomplices.
The local administration and election authorities are likely to review security protocols for future polls in the wake of this event. The outcome of the police investigation will be closely watched, as it will determine the legal consequences for those who attempted to disrupt the democratic exercise in Malout.
