Mangalore: Students prevented from voting, BJP-Congress clash
Pics: Brijesh Garodi / Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (BG)
Mangalore, May 5: Though the polling to the Assembly elections on Sunday May 5 has been largely peaceful throughout the day, chaos broke out at Capitanio here BJP workers reportedly prevented a few students from voting.
It is said that students residing at a hostel in Kankanady had come to vote at Capitanio polling booth. But before they could cast their vote, they were allegedly stopped by BJP workers who claimed that the students were not from the city and were voters in their hometowns, and not here.
However, it was found that the names of the students were enlisted in the voters' list at Capitanio.
At the same time, Congress workers too arrived at the spot and an argument arose between the two groups, leading to a minor clash.
Police rushed to the spot and BSF personnel and other paramilitary forces also intervened as the matter seemed to be getting out of control.
Congress leaders including candidate J R Lobo urged the police to provide protection to the voters and especially to the students who had to face problems. However, the police said they could not as it was not in their hands.
A teacher hailing from Teerthahalli who came to vote also had to face problems as she was reportedly stopped by the BJP workers who claimed that she was not a voter at Capitanio. However, her name too was in the voter's list here. Dejected, she returned home without voting, with tears in her eyes.
The students' group went back without voting.
Though the mob was chased away by the police, tight security has been deployed at the spot.