February 19, 2008	Tuesday	Safar 11, 1429

RAWALPINDI, Feb 18: One person was killed, while a woman was injured by stray bullets in separate incidents during the elections in Rawalpindi and its surrounding areas on Monday.

Ten persons were injured in a clash between PML-Q and PPP workers in Morah Noori village of district nazim Raja Javed Ikhlas.

Mohammad Naeem, a resident of Toba Tek Singh who worked as a housemaid of PML-Q activist Raja Nadeem in Mandra, was hit by a stray bullet reportedly fired by his employer celebrating the victory of his candidate. Naeem died on the spot.

City Police Officer Saud Aziz confirmed the killing and said overall law and order situation remained under control during the day.

A woman identified as Afshan Mubeen was injured after being hit by a stray bullet while she was strolling in a park at Chaklala along with her husband and children. The injured was shifted to hospital where she was stated to be out of danger.

The CPO said the accused person involved in the firing had been caught and was being interrogated.

The Airport police said they had received reports that a man had been firing shots in Chaklala area since morning. However, the police took the accused into custody after the woman had been hit by the bullet.

Some unidentified persons took away around 65 ballot papers from the Girja Road polling station.

Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retired) Qazi Mohammad Farooq visited a polling station at Divisional Public School where he was greeted with complaints from voters.

One of the complainants, Shamshad Bibi, said she was denied her right to vote by the presiding officer who objected that her national identity card bore wrong number.

Another voter, Ms Nowshaba, lodged a similar complaint. On this, Mr Farooq directed the returning officer to check the complaints.

To a question, the CEC acknowledged that a minor incident had occurred at the Girja Road polling station. He, however, said it was not a serious issue as nobody can use the stolen ballot papers without presiding officer’s signatures and stamp.