10 injured in Ganjam post-poll clash

Brahmapur, Sep 22:
At least ten persons were injured in a clash between supporters of the ruling BJD and opposition Congress at Gopalpur in Ganjam district after the declaration of results of the just concluded urban local bodies (ULB) polls, triggering tension in the area, police said on Sunday.

Armed police force in strength was deployed in the seaside town and senior police officers were camping there following the violence that took place Saturday.

“The situation is under control and a peace committee meeting is being convened to restore peace in the town,” said Brahmapur Superintendent of Police Anirudha Singh adding no arrests had been made in this connection so far.

Trouble erupted after the results of Ward no 11 of the Notified Area Council (NAC) were declared on Friday in which the BJD won eight seats. The situation turned ugly yesterday as supporters the two parties came face to face and fought a pitched battle wielding sticks and pelting stones at each other, police said.

In the last civic body election in 2008, the BJD had won in 10 out of the 11 wards.

In another case of post-poll violence at Buguda NAC in the district, a woman was injured when supporters of the rival group attacked her. The injured woman was shifted to MKCG Medical College Hospital here. Police have registered a case, but no one has been arrested, police said. (PTI)