In connection with mismanagement and alleged booth tampering in two booths of a recently-concluded by-election that was held for Shradhapur panchayat, district Collector K Sudarshan Chakravarthy has placed three teachers under suspension and has served showcase notices to equal number of teachers, those involved in the polling process.
According to reports, the polling held in two booths, No. 12 at Kanya Nagari and No. 14 at Khadibil was held on November 27 along with other booths.
Although the polling process was completed peacefully yet during deposit of boxes in the block office, a chaos occurred when some people alleged that tampering was made in these two booths.
It was also alleged that in the melee some ballot papers were thrown on the ground by miscreants after snatching boxes. Sub-Collector Nilu Mohaptra rushed to the site and pacified the tensed situation.
In connection with the controversy, he submitted a report to the Collector, recommending re-polling in these two booths mentioning flaws on the part of polling officers.
Re-polling in the booths was held on November 29. About the incident an inquiry was conducted by the Block Development Officer (BDO).
The teachers who were suspended include Kamallochan Patra of Sridurga Pallibhumi High School, Sukumar Mohanty of Dahinanidhibandu UP School and Tapas Singh of Kalyanpur UP School.
The teachers served with show-cause notices are Chittaranjan Sahu of Analia School, Tapan Pradhan of Bagarukhi School and Rasalpur, CRCC Abanti Jena, said sources.