Berhampur (Odisha): Family members of a 28-year-old BJP worker killed in a pre-poll clash with BJD supporters in Odisha's Ganjam district on Monday exercised their franchise amid tight security. The officers provided this information.
Last week, Dilip Pahan was killed in a clash between BJP and BJD supporters over putting up posters of candidates in Srikrishnasharanpur village.
His widow Sabitri and father Ram Chandra Pahan were among the four members of his family who cast their votes in their village, which falls under Khallikote assembly seat and Aska parliamentary constituency.
Ram Chandra Paha said, "Initially, we thought of not casting our vote in this hour of grief. But later we decided that we should exercise our democratic right."
Dilip's younger brother, who was injured in the clash, is undergoing treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
A contingent of Central Armed Police Forces was deployed in the village and patrolled, an official said. He said that no untoward incident took place and the voting was conducted peacefully.
Sources said that till 5.03 pm, more than 650 out of 1,071 voters of the village had exercised their franchise.
A total of 11 people have been arrested in connection with the clash and an SI has been formed to investigate the incident.
However, Sabitri Pahan, widow of the deceased BJP worker, claimed that the main accused have not been caught yet.
"Around 40 people were involved in the clash. We demand that the main accused be caught as soon as possible," he said.
Last week, Dilip Pahan was killed in a clash between BJP and BJD supporters over putting up posters of candidates in Srikrishnasharanpur village.
His widow Sabitri and father Ram Chandra Pahan were among the four members of his family who cast their votes in their village, which falls under Khallikote assembly seat and Aska parliamentary constituency.
Ram Chandra Paha said, "Initially, we thought of not casting our vote in this hour of grief. But later we decided that we should exercise our democratic right."
Dilip's younger brother, who was injured in the clash, is undergoing treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
A contingent of Central Armed Police Forces was deployed in the village and patrolled, an official said. He said that no untoward incident took place and the voting was conducted peacefully.
Sources said that till 5.03 pm, more than 650 out of 1,071 voters of the village had exercised their franchise.
A total of 11 people have been arrested in connection with the clash and an SI has been formed to investigate the incident.
However, Sabitri Pahan, widow of the deceased BJP worker, claimed that the main accused have not been caught yet.
"Around 40 people were involved in the clash. We demand that the main accused be caught as soon as possible," he said.
