Heavy voting in Pondy local body polls

Pondicherry, Jul 1 (UNI) An estimated 60 to 65 per cent of the over 1.53 lakh electorate exercised its franchise by noon today in the third and final phase polling in the three tiered local body elections held after a gap of 38 years in the Union Territory of Pondicherry.

Polling so far was peaceful barring tension in certain areas.

Tension prevailed in a booth at Sandaipudukuppam in Mannadipet commune panchayat when the entry of PMK legislator Arulmurugan into the booth was objected to by the poll agent of an independent.

The agent questioned the legislator's entry without valid pass, leading to a verbal duel. Police later removed them.

Meanwhile, about 200 voters of Moorthipudukuppam in Bahour commune panchayat voted today with police protection. During the Assembly elections, a youth was hacked to death, which led to a group clash in the village following which about 50 families had vacated the village and could not vote in the Assembly polls.

They sought police protection to return to the village to cast their votes and the police made elaborate security arrangements for them.

Though polling began on a dull note, it picked up later and long queues were seen in front of several booths, indicating that the final percentage of polling might be over 80 per cent.

Police have made elaborate security arrangements.

(Ed: Pls pick up suitably from earlier series).

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