Tension during immersion of Ganesh idol in Bihar's Aurangabad
Aurangabad (Bihar), Sep 14: Tension prevailed in Rafiganj area of Bihar's Aurangabad district when people of one community allegedly raised slogans against another community during a procession to immerse a Ganesh idol, police said on Saturday.
Police acted swiftly and brought the situation under control and as a precautionary measure, additional forces were deployed in the area, Aurangabad Sadar II Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Amit Kumar told reporters.
A case has been registered against 40 people and seven people have been arrested so far in connection with the incident, he said.
"The incident took place when a section of people, who were part of the procession to immerse a Ganesh idol, started raising slogans against a particular community when they reached near the main market on Friday night.
"They also made some objectionable remarks against people belonging to the other community. This created tension in the area. Security personnel, who were already deployed there, intervened into the matter and brought the situation under control," the SDPO said.
"A case was registered against 40 people involved in the incident. Seven people have already been arrested and a manhunt is on to nab the others. We have also confiscated a DJ system and a vehicle in connection with the incident. Now, the situation is completely under control," he added.
In Bihar's Rafiganj, Anti Social elements while going to immerse the idol of Ganesha were seen shouting derogatory slogans targeting the Muslim community "Miyan Maadar ***" @police_aurangab took cognizance of the Hateful video and filed an FIR and arrested 5 accused. pic.twitter.com/xJm4B5UkIc
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) September 14, 2024
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
