12 die in bloody clashes during LB polls in Punjab, Sindh
Several PS displayed a scene of battlefield in Punjab, Sindh; 11 died in PPP, PML-F clash in Sindh
LAHORE: (Web Desk, Dunya News) – 11 died in bloody clashes during local body elections in Punjab and Sindh while several were injured. Many of the polling stations displayed the scenes of a battlefield throughout the day in the two provinces. 10 died in an armed clash in Ranipur, Sindh, between Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League – Functional (PML-F) workers, reported Dunya News.
Another PML-F worker died in Khairpur as a result of firing, after which army was called in. Rangers also had to intervene in order to control the situation. Taking notice of the violence, Election Commission has demanded report from police and the relevant departments.
Clashes in Punjab
Clashes continued throughout the polling time in many cities of Punjab including Lahore. While women clashed on one side, two other groups brawl on the other in Faisalabad. Polling process was put on halt in Union Council (UC) 101 Nisar Colony, UC 7, UC 132 and UC 146 due to clashes between the workers of various parties.
UC 11 in Gujarat became a battlefield where the supporters of an independent candidate raised slogans against the District Coordination Officer (DCO) over mismanagement and police moved in to baton-charge the protesters. Police officials dragged the candidate to the police station, claiming that the arrested workers were creating problems at the polling station. Earlier, followers of a candidate and police also clashed with each other when a worker was caught as he cast fake votes. The polling process was suspended for a while due to this brawl and more police officials were deployed.
In Kasur, polling process was suspended repeatedly as the workers indulged into clashes. Freestyle wrestling scenes were observed among the workers in Kot Radha Kishan. Workers also brawled with each other at Ward No. 7 and threw chairs at each other inside the polling station.
Workers in Vehari, freely used their arms and chairs at each other. Women also got into fights at UC 75 and UC 26.
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Polling process was also disturbed in Sheikhupura due to mayhem at the polling stations. Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Khalid Sindh indulged into fight with a polling agent in Kanjah.
In Lodhran, 3 people were badly injured as the workers clashed with each other at various polling stations. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and PML-N candidates brawled with each other at UC 44, bringing the polling process to a halt. Supporters of independent candidates at the UC 10 were left on each other’s mercy by the police and the wrestling continued for several minutes as the kids standing by made fun of the fighting workers. MNA Abdur Rehman Kanju visited various polling stations while displaying arms, openly violating the code of conduct. Armed guards kept terrorizing the people but the police remained silent observers.
Meanwhile in Bahawalnagar, 2 were injured in a clash between the supporters of PML-N and independent candidates.
Clashes in Sindh
Sindh was even more violent. Workers continued to lock horns with each other throughout the day and Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah’s home town Khairpur echoed with the firing sounds. 11 had died by the end of polling in the province. A massive clash between PML-F and PPP candidates was seen at Junejo Polling Station in Ranipur area of Khairpur. Workers opened fire at each other and 10 lives were lost in this armed fight.
Khairpur:
Earlier, a brawl between PPP and PML-F workers at Kot DG Khairpur also cost the PML-F one of their workers while another was injured. Police baton-charged the workers to disperse them and the Rangers were called in to control the situation.
10 got injured in an exchange of fire at Goth Maingo Faqeer due to which the polling was stopped.
PML-F and PPP supporters also brawled at Ward No. 26 in Khairpur. First they used their fists, then the chairs and finally pointed guns at each other. Police arrested a PML-F worker after baton-charge.
Political tensions are at their peak in CM Sindh’s home town and army, along with the Rangers, has been called in to control the situation.
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Other areas of Sindh:
In Jacobabad, UC 4, 2 got injured in a clash between PPP and PML-F workers. 2 workers were also shifted to hospital due to brawl in Polling Station Ali Nawaz Panwar. 3 were injured in Union Council Loghi as a result of a clash. 2 were also injured in Shikarpur Polling Station No. 182 due to clash at the women’s polling booth.
Polling was also suspended at UC Gagloo, Polling Station Thairi in Kandh Kot. 2 were also injured at UC 4 of Gambat in a clash between PPP and PML-F workers and Rangers had to be called in for maintain law and order.
Taking notice of the situation, Election Commission has demanded report from police and the relevant departments.
Rangers had to take control of the situation in UC17 New Pind in Sukkur due to mayhem. Jamiat Ulema Islam – Fazl (JUI-F) and PPP supporters also brawled at Qambar Shahdad Kot. In UC Loni’s Polling Station Sultan Mehar of Ghotki, supporters of the candidates clashed and 7 were injured as a result.
