The Rajasthan Police detained independent candidate Naresh Meena on Thursday after he reportedly assaulted a sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) outside a voting booth during yesterday’s by-elections in the Deoli-Uniara assembly seat in Tonk district.
Meena was apprehended in a ‘strategic’ operation led by top police officials who were observed walking along a remote road wearing safety vests and helmets. Moments before his arrest, Meena instructed his followers to “surround the police and block the traffic.”
मैं समरावता गाँव के अंदर बैठा हूँ,
— Naresh Meena (@NareshMeena__) November 14, 2024
पुलिस ने गाँव को चारो तरफ से घेरकर नाकाबंदी कर रखी है, पुलिस किसी को गाँव के अंदर आने नहीं दे रही है,
मेरी आप सभी से अपील है की तुम सब पुलिस को घेरकर उनकी नाकेबंदी कर दो, और चक्का जाम करदो! pic.twitter.com/PQyuvTO8E8
The arrest followed a major incident in the district late Wednesday night, when police sought to apprehend Meena for allegedly assaulting SDM Amit Chaudhary during the bypoll.
The footage of the incident that appeared online shows Meena hitting the senior officer outside a voting station where he was supervising electoral procedures.
Meena, a former Congress politician, was recently fired from the party for running as an independent after the party selected Kastor Chand Meena over him in the Deoli-Uniara bypoll.
#WATCH | Tonk, Rajastha: Police arrests Naresh Meena from Samravata VIllage.
— ANI (@ANI) November 14, 2024
Naresh Meena, independent candidate for Deoli Uniara assembly constituency by-polls in Tonk district, after he allegedly physically assaulted SDM Amit Chaudhary at a polling booth yesterday pic.twitter.com/v8meme4qsw
The dramatic incident occurred in Samarwata village where the voters boycotted the bypoll over demands to include their panchayat in the Uniara constituency instead of Deoli, said officials.
As the situation tensed, Meena accused the SDM of undermining the boycott by secretly allowing three people to vote- a move that outraged the Congress rebel.
Kalesh b/w SDM and Former Congress leader Naresh kumar meena (Former Congress leader and now Independent candidate Naresh Meena slaps SDM outside booth) Rajasthan
— Ghar Ke Kalesh (@gharkekalesh) November 13, 2024
pic.twitter.com/Niw17U7gn3
SP Tonk, Vikas Sangwan said, “He (Meena) was asked to not take the law into his hands and surrender. Initially, he was not in the mood but seeing the police force, he agreed. He will be charged under the relevant sections.”
The police claimed that there was a ruckus and incident of stone pelting and arson when they tried to arrest Meena in the Tonk district yesterday. “Older records will be opened and arrests will be made accordingly. 50-60 people have been detained in this case so far,” said the officials.
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Source: News18
