Polling Booth Clash Erupts in Salem During Elections
A violent confrontation disrupted the polling process at booth number 139 in Arisipalayam, Salem, on Thursday. The incident involved booth-level agents from the AIADMK and DMK, escalating into a physical scuffle that drew police intervention.
Details of the Altercation
According to eyewitness accounts, the clash began when M. Kandasamy of the AIADMK and C. Senthil of the DMK were engaged in a conversation inside the polling station. Senthil was allegedly canvassing for the DMK, which led to a misunderstanding. A woman voter, S. Loganayaki from the 27th ward, reportedly misinterpreted their discussion as being directed at her.
Enraged by this perception, Loganayaki started shouting at Kandasamy and, in the heat of the moment, slapped him. Kandasamy retaliated, sparking a full-blown scuffle within the confines of the booth. The situation worsened when Loganayaki's son, Vigneswaran, and her sister, M. Renuka, joined the fray and allegedly attacked Kandasamy.
Injuries and Conflicting Claims
Kandasamy reported sustaining injuries and having his shirt torn during the attack. "In this attack, I sustained injuries and my shirt was torn," he stated. Conversely, Loganayaki claimed that Kandasamy had verbally abused and assaulted her first, resulting in multiple injuries, including a nosebleed. She further alleged that M. Yuvaraj, the AIADMK ward secretary, was behind the incident.
Yuvaraj denied these allegations, asserting that Loganayaki, who had recently switched from the AIADMK to the DMK, deliberately created tension to tarnish his party's image. "Loganayaki, who had recently joined the DMK after leaving the AIADMK, had deliberately created tension inside the booth to tarnish his party's image," he explained.
Police Response and Investigation
Police from the Pallapatty station quickly arrived at the scene to control the situation and initiated an inquiry into the disturbance. Election officials are expected to submit a detailed report on the incident later in the day, which will help clarify the sequence of events and assign responsibility.
This clash highlights the heightened tensions often observed during election periods in Tamil Nadu, where political rivalries can sometimes spill over into violence at polling stations. Authorities are urging all parties to maintain decorum and adhere to electoral guidelines to ensure peaceful voting processes.
