Chandigarh, June 29: Two people have been killed in violence during the elections to the 12,396 panchayats spread over 17 districts of Punjab, voting for which is underway. According to reports, the brother of independent candidate Succha Singh Chhotepur was stabbed to death by unidentified persons in village Zora Singh Wala of Batala district.
The other victim, an uncle of a Congress candidate, has been reportedly killed in firing in Amritsar’s Patti area. Voting is, meanwhile, going on peacefully in other areas of Punjab. Despite rains in several areas, people queued up outside polling booths to cast their votes, official sources said.
According to the state election commission, early trends suggest an 80 per cent voter turnout. Elections are being held for 12,396 panchayats. Polling for 100 panchayats has been deferred due to various reasons, including irregularities in voters’ list.
Voting in the Talhan district, which was recently rocked by inter-caste violence, has been postponed indefinitely. Bureau Report