Alwar: Allegations of a 319-vote discrepancy in the sarpanch election in Rajpur Bada gram panchayat of Alwar’s Rajgarh area triggered a clash between villagers and police Saturday, leaving DSP Deshraj Kuldeep, an ASI, two constables and several other personnel injured.The clash erupted after losing candidates and their supporters demanded a re-poll, claiming that 4,019 votes were polled but only 3,700 were counted. They had been protesting since Friday night, after the sarpanch result was declared.The situation turned violent on Saturday morning when officials were taking the newly elected sarpanch and panches inside the polling booth for the deputy sarpanch election. Protesters allegedly pelted stones at police and vandalised a police vehicle, prompting a lathi charge.DSP Kuldeep, ASI Kasam Khan, constables Dharmendra and Murari, and around half a dozen other personnel were injured. They were taken to Rajgarh hospital, where Kuldeep is undergoing treatment.ASP Deepak Sharma said protesters had demanded an inquiry into the alleged counting irregularities and fresh polling. An additional police force was deployed to prevent further violence.Police detained seven people for questioning and registered cases for obstructing govt work, damaging public property and attacking police personnel.Mahendra Kumar Sharma, a sarpanch candidate, alleged that 319 votes were missing from the count. Police said further action would follow the investigation into the violence and alleged irregularities.
