Row over EVMs sighted near residence of officer in Kendrapada

A mob today manhandled senior government officials in Odisha's Kendrapara Lok Sabha constituency where elections were held yesterday, alleging attempts to tamper votes as an EVM-loaded vehicle was spotted in front of an officer's residence.

Tension mounted when an EVM-loaded vehicle was spotted parked in front of the official residence in the town of a block development officer (BDO) Sushant Kumar Pati.

The EVMs had Kendrapara Lok Sabha and Mahakalpada Assembly written over them, sources said.

Smelling foul-play, local people and opposition party workers allegedly beat up Marshghai BDO Pati and pelted stones at his government quarter.

Later Pati was rescued by police, sources said.