Civic elections in Malwa region marred by clashes

Bathinda: Polling for municipal corporations, councils and nagar panchayats across Punjab's Malwa region on Tuesday was marred by clashes, scuffles and allegations of intimidation, with rival parties trading charges at several locations. Incidents were reported from Bathinda, Barnala, Moga and nearby towns. As many as 103 municipal bodies went to polls in the state, with counting slated for May 29.Clashes between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and opposition BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal were reported from multiple wards of Bathinda municipal corporation during polling, and late on Monday night. In Ward No. 2, AAP and BJP workers clashed, following which BJP leaders led by district president Sarup Chand Singla staged a protest outside Bathinda Cantt police station. AAP workers also gathered there, leading to sloganeering by both sides.In Ward No. 3, supporters of AAP MLA Jagroop Singh Gill assembled after he accused party functionary Amarjit Singh Mehta and former mayor's son Padamjit Mehta of orchestrating an attack on his workers. Vehicles belonging to his supporters were allegedly damaged after they objected to suspected cash distribution among voters. Gill approached the SSP, seeking action, while Amarjit Mehta denied the charges.Tension also flared in Ward No. 8, where police intervened to defuse the situation.In Barnala, a clash erupted in Ward No. 15 between AAP and BJP workers. Jasbir Singh, husband of BJP candidate Deepinder Kaur, was allegedly attacked, his turban dislodged and he sustained head injuries. He was later hospitalised. BJP district president Yadwinder Shunty accused AAP of "goondagardi", a charge the ruling party denied.Another confrontation in Barnala's Ward No. 33 saw supporters of an independent candidate allege bogus voting by AAP workers, an accusation refuted by AAP candidate Chaman Lal Chatri. Clashes were also reported in Ward No. 19, with Akali Dal members accusing AAP MLA Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon of instigating violence — an allegation he denied.Similar incidents were reported from Malout's Ward No. 23, Maur Mandi (Ward No. 5), Moga (Ward No. 41), and Kot Ise Khan (Ward No. 7), with rival parties trading blame over violence and attempts to influence voters.Pics: AAP MLA Jagroop Singh Gill complaining about maltreatment to his supporters, BJP members outside Bathinda Cantt police station, BJP candidate Deepinder Kaur's husband Jasbir Singh's turban tossed, sustained injury