Clash between supporters of different political parties near booth in Bihar's Nawada
Nawada (Bihar) (PTI): A minor clash took place between supporters of different political parties near a booth in Warisaliganj area in Bihar's Nawada district during the final phase of voting on Tuesday.
Speaking to PTI, Nawada Superintendent of Police Abhinav Dhiman said, "A minor clash took place between supporters of different political parties around 1.5 km away from the polling booth. Officials concerned and security personnel are at the spot and they are looking into the matter. The situation in the area is completely under control and voting is underway smoothly."
He said that rumours that a government vehicle engaged in poll duty has been damaged are completely baseless and claimed that the damaged vehicle is a private one and has nothing to do with poll duty.
A video purportedly showing the clash has gone viral on social media. In the video, a person was heard saying that he was beaten by his opponents for not casting a vote in favour of a particular party.
PTI, however, could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.
Polling was underway at a moderate pace across 122 assembly constituencies of Bihar, where 14.55 per cent of the 3.7 crore voters exercised their franchise till 9 am on Tuesday to decide the electoral fate of 1,302 candidates.
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Lebanon appoints new representative for talks with Israel, rejects linkage to Iran
Beirut: Lebanon’s has moved to underline its independent position in ongoing regional developments, amid attempts to link the country to the broader conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
President Joseph Aoun, while announcing the appointment of former US ambassador Simon Karam as Lebanon’s representative in talks with Israel, made it clear that Karam would be the sole representative for Lebanon and that there would be no substitute.
The move comes in response to what the Lebanese officials see as efforts by Iran to tie Lebanon’s situation to the wider regional conflict. Iran had indicated that there would be no ceasefire involving the US, Israel and Iran unless it also included a ceasefire in Lebanon.
Some groups, including Hezbollah and its supporters, had expressed support for linking the situations, citing concerns that the Lebanese government has limited leverage in negotiations with Israel. Lebanon is not formally a party to the conflict, and its army is considered weak.
However, others, including Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, have opposed this approach. They view Iran’s stance as an attempt to influence Lebanon’s internal affairs and see it as undermining the country’s sovereignty.
Officials backing the government’s position say the move is aimed at reaffirming Lebanon’s sovereignty and ensuring that decisions about peace and ceasefire within the country are not dictated externally.
They also see it as a safeguard, so that any breakdown in talks between the US, Israel and Iran does not automatically lead to renewed conflict in Lebanon.
