BENGALURU, 7 MAY

 
In Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal, police were accused of using force to allegedly stop Muslims from voting. In videos that went viral on social media, Muslim voters alleged that police snatched their voter slips and even tore their Voter’s ID and Aadhaar cards.

"We were just looking at the electoral list when they (police) charged at us and hit us with sticks," a man said.

In another video, cops chase a crowd of voters and even throw their batons at people. Women and children were also beaten up. “I do not know why they beat us. They also took away my voter’s slip,” said a youth who suffered injuries on his neck and chest.

In the same video, two women claimed that they were beaten too. “They’ve crossed all limits,” she said.

Meanwhile, several Muslim women alleged they were turned away from the polling booth by the police. Local administration allegedly labelled their Aaadhar cards as fake. One of the women claimed that at least 50 females were stopped from voting.

We have been waiting since the morning. We want to vote. Why aren’t they letting us? How are our Aadhaars fake?" asked a woman.

In another video, cops are seen standing in front of an elderly man who had collapsed on a road. People alleged the police had beaten the old man.

An altercation also took place between Samajwadi Party candidate Zia-ur-Rehman and the District Superintendent of Police. Zia-Ur-Rehman was pushed by police personnel after he raised objections to not being allowed to vote.

In another video, Anukriti Sharma, ASP of Sambhal, is seen telling the police that polling officials have the right to check voter cards. "It is not the job of the police. Let the voters go," she added.

Meanwhile, Sambhal police posted on its X account that 50 people were caught for trying to cast votes using fake IDs. They also said voting was peaceful.