Jharkhand Assembly polls: JVM (P) candidate, 11 others arrested

Ranchi, Dec 9: Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) candidate and sitting MLA from Ichagarh Assembly constituency Arvind Kumar Singh and 11 others were arrested on Tuesday following a clash between his supporters and BJP workers in adjoining Seraikela-Kharswan district.

"We have arrested Singh and 11 others after receiving a BJP complaint of violence allegedly triggered by JVM activists in the early hours today," DIG (Kolhan) Md Nehal said.

Nehal said the incident had nothing to do with the polls, which were going on peacefully and uninterrupted.

He said police received information about a clash between 2.00 am and 2.30 am. A report of firing was also received, he added.

"We are investigating the incident while clarifying that the incident is not related to the ensuing poll. Poll was peacefully underway at Ichagarh constituency," he said.

BJP and JVM blamed each other for the incident with BJP claiming that its party candidate from Ichagarh Sadhu Charan Mahato and two others were injured in the incident.

"Our party candidate and two others suffered injury after JVM activists attacked them when they gathered at a place and were preparing food last night", National Vice-President of BJP Raghubar Das said.

PTI