BATHINDA: Zila parishad and panchayat samiti elections in Punjab were marred by clashes between supporters of the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal at across the Malwa region on Wednesday. In Bathinda, Muktsar and Moga, SAD members accused Congress workers of trying to capture booths.SAD patron Parkash Singh Badal, who cast his vote at native village Badal in Muktsar district, accused the Congress of attempting to capture booths in Lambi, which he represents in the state assembly.Former Akali minister Sikander Singh Maluka staged a sit-in on the Barnala-Bajkakhana road near Salabatpura village and accused Congress of trying to capture booths at Kangar , Salabatpura and Bhai Rupa villages in Rampura Phul assembly segment.SAD activists also accused Congress supporters of firing gunshots in the air at Dhulewala village, also in Rampura Phul, which is represented by power minister Gurpreet Singh Kangar. Badal said Congress workers also indulged in highhandedness in Malout. “They formed groups and were roaming outside to intimidate voters. At Killianwali in Lambi, Congress workers intimidated our activists into leaving the polling booth. We have filed a complaint with police,” he said.After Badal’s complaint, SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal reached Killianwali. He said Congress supporters snatched ballot papers from people and cast votes on their behalf. Akali workers of Killianwali told administrative officers in the presence of Sukhbir that some persons forcibly cast votes and police remained a mute spectator. “Congress workers have crossed all limits of highhandedness and openly snatched ballot papers from the voters. They also intimidated our cadre,” Sukhbir said.However, Congress supporter Dharm Singh said Sukhbir made Akalis beat party worker Gurdeep Singh. He alleged that Akali supporters also damaged a Toyota Innova MUV. A person was also caught at Killianwali for casting a fake vote. Akalis also complained of Congress supporters intimidating their workers at Gilzewala and Lambi Dhab villages near Badal.Maluka alleged that Congress workers reached booths at Kangar, Salabatpura and Bhai Rupa and pulled out Akali representatives and put booths under their command. “We complained to the police. When no one listened to us, we protested on the road. We want justice and will hold a protest outside Bathinda deputy commissioner’s office on Thursday,” he said.He alleged that Congress workers fired gunshots in the air to scare away Akali supporters at Dhulewal village. “In the melee, a 12-year-old girl was hit by a car and sustained injuries,” he said. When contacted, Bathinda range inspector general of police (IGP) M F Farooqui said no gun shots in Dhulewal. “Yes, but a girl sustained some injuries in the melee,” he said.At Dialpura Mirza village in Bathinda, a clash agains occurred between members of the Congress and the Akali Dal. “Congress workers tried to capture the booth and many ballot papers were torn,” said Akali worker Gursewak Singh.The SAD MLA from Muktsar, Kanwarjit Singh Barkandi, said many Congress supporters entered a booth at Sanghudhon village and tore the ballot papers. He alleged they pelted stones at Akali workers who managed to save themselves but two vehicles were damaged.An altercation taken place between workers of Congress and SAD at Rode and Demru Khurd villages in Moga. Akalis accused Congress supporters of making an attempt to capture the booth. Clashes were also reported from Jhok Harihar village in Ferozepur. An altercation also reported from Chahal village in Faridkot over the issue of booth capturing.Punjab power minister Kangar said no Congress worker tried to capture booths. “As Akalis are losing, they are trying to find excuses to tell people that they it was due to highhandedness, which is totally false. Our men had not taken law into their hands anywhere.”Situation kept under control: IGBathinda range inspector general of police (IGP) M F Farooqui said former CM Parkash Singh Badal had phoned him and told him about an incident at Killianwali where 44 ballot papers were torn. “We immediately sent force there to ensure that peace was maintained. At Kangar village, some Akali representatives had moved out of the polling booth by giving in writing to the presiding officer and no one was forcibly evicted,” he said. He confirmed that confrontations had taken place between members of two political parties at some places, but the situation was under control.

Stay updated with all the Amritsar Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.