Police Officers Under Fire: Betalghat Panchayat Election Violence

The Uttarakhand Election Commission has called for action against two police officers following a shooting incident during the Betalghat panchayat elections. The state body recommended suspending Betalghat police station in-charge Anish Ahmed and taking departmental action against Bhawali Police Circle Officer Pramod Shah.

This recommendation came after an observer's report detailed the events on August 14, when a supporter of a candidate fired at a rival party, injuring Mahendra Singh Bisht. The violence marred the block pramukh elections and drew attention from electoral authorities.

In response, the police registered a case against six individuals and seized two vehicles. The arrested suspects, all from Nainital's Ramnagar, were identified as Deepak Singh Rawat, Yash Bhatnagar, Virendra Arya, Ravindra Kumar, Prakash Bhatt, and Pankaj Papola.

(With inputs from agencies.)