ITANAGAR: An outbreak of pre-poll violence in Arunachal Pradesh resulted in injuries to seven security personnel amidst stone pelting by supporters of rival candidates.
The incident unfolded at Tenga and Kalaktang in the West Kameng district, casting a shadow over the upcoming electoral process.
Prompt action followed the outbreak of violence, with the police swiftly registering three cases at the two police stations in the district.
The clash, fuelled by simmering political tensions, saw security personnel caught in the crossfire as supporters of two competing candidates engaged in acts of aggression.
According to reports, supporters of incumbent MLA Dorjee Karma Wangdi and BJP candidate Tseten Chombay clashed and engaged in stone-pelting incidents in Kalaktang on Saturday.
Numerous houses and vehicles were reportedly damaged during the altercation.
Allegations surfaced from both sides, with supporters of the BJP candidate claiming that the sitting MLA’s supporters initiated the violence by pelting stones at her residence. Conversely, supporters of the incumbent MLA made similar accusations.
Meanwhile, a parallel incident occurred in Tenga, where supporters of the BJP candidate allegedly resorted to stone-pelting, targeting the residence of rival candidate Tenzin Glow.
Authorities have refrained from providing any official comments on the matter, and as of now, no arrests have been made in connection with the incidents in Kalaktang and Tenga.
Investigations are underway to apprehend the perpetrators responsible for orchestrating the unrest.
The timing of the incident adds to the gravity of the situation as the assembly polls coinciding with the Lok Sabha elections in the state and the onus lies on authorities to enforce stringent measures to prevent incidences of violence.
With 60 seats slated to go to polls on April 19, the state braces itself for a crucial electoral showdown amidst escalating tensions.
Earlier on Sunday, in a significant development, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced a rescheduling of the date for counting of votes in Arunachal Pradesh from June 4 to June 2, aligning it with the conclusion of the tenure of the Legislative Assembly.
Against the backdrop of heightened security concerns, the ECI unveiled plans for the deployment of 3.4 lakh Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) personnel across states and Union territories for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
Responding to requests from state Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs), the commission aims to bolster security measures and uphold the integrity of the electoral process in the state.
