Politicians and journalists were beaten up by Ranchi police after Lok Sabha poll candidates and their supporters complained of tampering with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

Ranchi: Politicians and journalists were beaten up by Ranchi police after Lok Sabha poll candidates and their supporters complained of tampering with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

The incident happened Thursday night when reports of EVMs being allegedly tampered with in Ranchi spread. The political parties came to know about it and informed the district administration.

BJP candidate Ram Tahal Chaudhary, Jharkhand Vikas Morcha -Prajatantrik (JVM-P) candidate Amitabh Chaudhary and TMC candidate Bandhu Tirkey reached the spot with party supporters.

The candidates and party supporters made hue and cry over the alleged tampering of the EVMs.

According to police, the supporters of various parties misbehaved with the woman officer who was in-charge of the EVMs.

The policemen resorted to lathi charge to disperse the mobs and control the situation. The candidates of the BJP, JVM-P and TMC and journalists covering the incident were all allegedly beaten up.

"We were covering the entire incident. The policemen deliberately beat up media persons despite the fact that we revealed our identity. The cameras were snatched and we were not allowed to cover the incident," reporter Sohan Kumar said.

Jharkhand Chief Election Commissioner P.K. Jajorioa reached the spot Thursday night to take stock of the situation.

"Everything took place due to some confusion. No malpractice has been done," he told reporters.

IANS