JHADC polls: Miscreants destroyed EVMs in two polling stations at Wapung village, East Jaintia Hills

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 21, 2025

Polling in two polling stations at Wapung village in East Jaintia Hills was halted on Friday after a group of miscreants forcefully entered and destroyed the electronic voting machines (EVMs) even as police has registered a case and started the investigation to nab the culprits. 

Director General (Eastern Range) Davis NR Marak, Deputy Commissioner S Awasthi and SP Giri Prasad rush to the spot to conduct an inquiry into the incident. 

Additional deputy commissioner (ADC) and Returning Officer Jacquiline U Kharpuri told reporters that polling was going on peacefully till 11.20 am until 11.35 am when information was received that a group of unidentified people had forcefully entered the Wapung Skur A polling station and committed acts of vandalism inside to the extent that they destroyed the EVM. Again at 11.37 am, it was informed that the same group had gone to the Wapung Skur B polling station and also destroyed the EVM. This has resulted in polling being forcefully halted in the two polling stations. 

“None of the polling personnel could identify the people as they know whether they are from the village or that they come from other places,” she said. 

SP Giri Prasad informed that additional forces have been deployed in the two polling stations to ensure law and order is maintained. 

He said no injuries were reported during the incident. “A case has been registered and investigation is on to nab the people involved in the incident,” the SP stated.