Guwahati: The Arunachal Pradesh Police have arrested 17 people, including a gram panchayat member (GPM) candidate, for disrupting panchayat polling at the Besai polling station in Bichom district, The Arunachal Times reported.
Police said 15 arrests were made on Wednesday, adding to two people detained on the day polling was first held.
Police said 15 arrests were made on Wednesday, adding to two detained on the day polling was first held, bringing the total in custody to 17 of the 20 accused, with action pending against the remaining three.
The incident took place at the Nisanjang–Besai gram panchayat under the Nedo zilla parishad constituency, where polling was disrupted on December 15 due to a serious breakdown of law and order, forcing officials to adjourn the process.
According to an FIR filed by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) P Nobin Jomoh, one of the accused, Kalung Besai, allegedly led a mob that attacked the polling team, including the ASP, after they were stopped from attempting to capture the polling station.
The ASP and the presiding officer reportedly suffered injuries during the attack.
Tensions reportedly began when a polling agent tried to cast votes on behalf of others. The situation worsened as miscreants allegedly cut down trees to block access roads to the polling station, restricting movement.
Despite efforts by election officials and security personnel, polling could not be resumed.
The State Election Commission later approved the district election officer’s request to adjourn the poll under Rule 45(2) of the Arunachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj (Conduct of Election) Rules, 2001.
A re-poll was conducted peacefully on December 18 at the Government Upper Primary School in Lada (Nedo), the circle office headquarters, starting at 7 am under tight security. No untoward incidents were reported.
Police said the original disruption involved alleged attempts at booth capturing, criminal intimidation, rioting, assault on public servants, and damage to government property.
The situation was brought under control, and ballot boxes and election materials were secured.
Based on the FIR and ongoing investigation, coordinated police operations led to the arrests.
The Arunachal Pradesh Police said it remains committed to protecting the democratic process and warned that any attempt to disrupt elections or attack personnel on duty will invite strict legal action.