Odisha: Miscreants snatch ballot box from officials, throw it into pond

Jajpur: Several untoward incidents marred the second phase of the Odisha Panchayat Polls at various places, today. In such an instance, some miscreants allegedly snatched ballot box from the polling officials and threw it into a pond in Dasarathpur panchayat of Jajpur district.

According to reports, the incident took place around 4 pm when polling officials were heading towards the strongroom carrying ballot box from booth no. 9 in the panchayat.

The wrongdoers forcibly took away the box from the possession of the officials, fled the spot, and later threw it into a pond in the locality.

Tension gripped the area after the incident as locals staged road blockade. On being informed, police reached the place and started and investigation.

Efforts were on by the cops to identify and nab the accused.

On the other hand, there were reports of rigging at booth no. 8 in Kanikapada panchayat of Dasarathpur block in the district, followed by tension between two groups.