Cuttack: Tension erupted in two panchayats of Niali block in Cuttack while the three-tier rural body polls were underway. According to reports, miscreants damaged ballot boxes in several booths at Jalarpur and Alana panchayats on Thursday.
The police have arrested four persons in this connection. Sources said the miscreants poured water on the ballot boxes thereby completely damaging the ballot papers. On the other hand, the people of Arakata village in Kapasi panchayat boycotted the elections.
Cuttack Collector Bhabani Shankar Chainy said that a detailed report has been sent to the State Election Commission (SEC) over the untoward incidents which took place in Niali block. It is very likely that fresh polls be ordered in these booths following a review by the SEC.
