NEW DELHI: Rajasthan Police on Thursday arrested independent candidate Naresh Meena, who allegedly slapped a sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) outside a polling booth during by-elections to the Deoli-Uniara assembly constituency in Tonk district.
Following the incident, tensions escalated in the district late Wednesday night when police attempted to detain Meena after he allegedly assaulted SDM Amit Chaudhary.
The incident, captured on video, shows Meena slapping the SDM outside a polling station where Chaudhary was overseeing election proceedings.
Supporters set fire on highway
Supporters of Naresh Meena set fire on the state highway outside Samravata village to protest against this arrest.
60 arrested
Around 60 people have been arrested following incidents of unrest, stone-pelting, and arson in Rajasthan’s Tonk district. The violence erupted after an independent candidate allegedly slapped a sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) at a polling booth during the Deoli-Uniara assembly byelection on Wednesday.
“There was a ruckus, stone pelting, and an arson incident in Samravata village late last night when police tried to apprehend Naresh Meena, an independent candidate for the Deoli-Uniara assembly constituency by-polls in Tonk district, after he allegedly physically assaulted SDM Amit Chaudhary at a polling booth yesterday. Many vehicles were set on fire and vandalised. So far, 60 people have been arrested in this case,” said Ajmer Range IG Om Prakash.
SDM slap row
Meena allegedly slapped the Malpura sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) after a dispute over voting at a polling booth in the Deoli-Uniara constituency on Wednesday.
Meena attempted to forcibly enter the polling station in the Samraota area during the polling process. When administrative and police officials tried to prevent him, a scuffle broke out.
Meena claimed that the SDM had made three voters cast their votes surreptitiously. “This made the public agitated,” said Meena.
He further alleged that his election symbol on the EVM was unclear, making it difficult for his supporters to identify.
Later, in a video message, Meena stated, “I am sitting on a dharna with the villagers of Samraota panchayat. The villagers demand that their panchayat be placed under the Uniara sub-division, which is 15 km from their village, instead of Deoli, which is 50 km away from their village.”
We want the Tonk collector to come here and write a letter to the chief minister requesting him to place their village under the Uniara sub-division again,” he added further.