Imran Ansari allegedly assaults SHO Pattan

BARAMULLA — A police officer was injured after allegedly being assaulted by a political leader and his supporters at a polling station in Pattan town of northern Kashmir’s Baramulla district. In another violent incident, a polling officer also sustained injuries after being roughed up by some political workers.

Block Medical Officer Pattan, Dr Toha Khan confirmed to the news agency KNT that two persons including a police officer were brought to Trauma Hospital Pattan in injured condition and after first aid, were later referred to GMC Baramulla.

Eyewitnesses said that Jammu Kashmir Peoples Conference leader Imran Reza Ansari along with his supporters barged into a polling station and tried to create disturbance. When SHO Pattan Mr Khalid Fayaz tried to intervene, Ansari and some of his supporters allegedly assaulted the police officer. Witnesses added that blood oozed out from the nose of the police officer and he suffered a fracture.

When contacted, SHO Pattan Khalid Fayaz told KNT that he was present at a polling station at KP Payeen Hanjiveera. “Everything was normal but Imran Ansari and his supporters who appeared at the polling station tried to create disturbance. They tried to break the doors and window of the polling station and when we tried to intervene, he (Imran Ansari) and his supporters assaulted me,” he said, adding that after the attack, Ansari and his supporters fled away from the spot.

SHO Pattan was taken to Trauma Hospital Pattan, from where he was referred to Government Medical College Baramulla.

Eyewitnesses said that police and para-military troops deployed at the polling station exercised restraint at the time of the incident. However, police made some arrests. Meanwhile, police have registered an FIR against Imran Ansari and his supporters.

In another incident, some political workers assaulted a polling officer, who is a teacher by profession, at a polling station in Devar Pattan. Police have taken cognizance of the incident.

Pertinently, polling for the fifth phase was held in the Parliamentary constituency of Baramulla today.