Bhubaneswar, May 24: Less than a day before the Phase III elections in Odisha, nine individuals reportedly sustained injuries in instances of pre-poll violence across several locations in the state on Friday. Violence flared up in Pipili, Athagarh, and Angul, just ahead of the polling scheduled for Saturday. In Athagarh, Cuttack district, a clash erupted between two groups over the distribution of liquor, resulting in injuries to more than five individuals, including a minor. The minor is currently receiving medical treatment at Sishu Bhawan in Cuttack. The incident occurred at Taradinga village, Harijan Sahi, under Athagarh police jurisdiction in Cuttack district. According to reports, a political group was distributing cash and liquor on Thursday evening when a dispute arose among villagers, escalating into a violent confrontation with stones being hurled, injuring five individuals, including a minor. The Athagarh police intervened and initiated an investigation into the matter. Similarly, three individuals, including Samiti Sabhya member Gadadhar Parida, were injured in a pre-election violence incident at Sahajpur panchayat in Pipili. Two of them were taken to Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar for treatment. Parida sustained a fractured leg, while the other two suffered severe head injuries when they were attacked by unidentified assailants while en route to Subudhipada.

Powered by Froala Editor