BJP councillor, ex-councillor trade blows at poll booth

The first phase of assembly elections held in Saurashtra and south Gujarat Thursday witnessed a few skirmishes in some districts.

In Surat, a sitting BJP councillor and a former councillor from the same party traded blows outside the polling booth Sanjaynagar Municipal School in Limbayat area following which both were detained by police.

Sitting councillor Ravindra Patil and former councillor Sanjay Patil entered into a heated argument over parking their vehicles, which led to a fist fight.

Later, supporters of both the leaders gathered outside the police station. Surat city BJP president Purnesh Modi and Navsari BJP MP C R Patil also arrived at the police station where their supporters again started abusing each other before they were dispersed by the police.

Limbayat police inspector S G Rana said both the leaders were let off with a warning.

In Valsad district, a BJP supporter suffered severe injuries after he was assaulted by a mob. The youth had reportedly informed the local police a week ago that he was receiving threat calls asking him to support the Congress. He alleged that a few local policemen were behind the incident.

Valsad SP Nipuna Torwane said, "We have registered an FIR against unidentified persons and an investigation is on."

In Talala town of Junagadh district, local BJP youth president Kirit Patel was allegedly attacked by a group of men when he was travelling in his car. Police said Patel escaped unhurt.

A complaint of damage to property and intentionally disturbing peace under the provisions of Indian Penal Code has been registered with the Junagadh Police in this regard.

Another incident of violence was reported from Rajkot East constituency where two rival groups clashed with each other outside a polling booth, leading to a major chaos. Police had to resort to mild lathicharge to disperse the crowd.

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