Jaipur, Oct. 26 -- Stone-pelting, clashes between rival groups and protests over alleged irregularities marred Rajasthan's first phase of panchayat elections, with police resorting to lathi-charges in parts of Jaipur and Bikaner districts. Eight people were detained in connection with violence in Jaipur's Chomu subdivision, officials said on Sunday. In Bikaner's Kela gram panchayat, violence broke out on Sunday morning after the sarpanch election result was declared late Saturday night. Some people allegedly resorted to stone-pelting following the victory of Jamila, wife of Iqbal. Three vehicles belonging to police and administration were damaged, triggering panic in the village. As the situation escalated, police used mild force to disperse the crowd. Station house officer Navneet Singh reached the spot with a team. "We reached the spot as soon as we received information and brought the situation under control. Action will be taken against those responsible," Singh said. In Morija village in Jaipur district's Chomu subdivision, villagers allegedly pelted stones at Samod police personnel over allegations of vote theft, prompting a lathi-charge. Tehsildar Vijaypal Vishnoi said, "A polling agent spread a rumour that ballot boxes were being replaced, following which a crowd attacked police. Eight people were detained," he said. In another incident in Chomu subdivision, residents of Hathnoda staged a sit-in outside a polling station, alleging that the polling team had manipulated ballot papers. The dispute began after a car carrying food for polling personnel was taken inside the polling station. Samod police reached the spot and began looking into the allegations. In Bikaner's Ridmalsar Purohitan gram panchayat, a large crowd gathered at the Devikund Sagar polling station towards the end of voting, prompting police to resort to a lathi-charge to disperse people. In Ajgara village under Kekri panchayat samiti in Ajmer district, protesters alleged irregularities before counting began and briefly blocked Ajmer-Kota highway. Police reached the spot as tensions escalated and used mild force to disperse the crowd. In Garu gram panchayat under Alwar's Kathumar panchayat samiti, supporters of defeated sarpanch candidate Hardevy protested outside a government school on Sunday morning, demanding a recount after the result was declared on Saturday night. Protesters sat on the road, raised slogans and lay down to press their demand. Sub-divisional magistrate Shyam Sunder reached the spot and assured the protesters in writing that action would be taken under the rules if an inquiry established any irregularity. However, they remained firm on their demand for a recount. Sunder asked the protesters to submit written grounds supporting their demand so that it could be forwarded to the authorities. A heated exchange also took place between him and the protesters. In Jaipur district's Mauzamabad, two groups clashed and allegedly attacked each other with sticks. In Bhilwara district's Gudha gram panchayat, under Mandal police station limits, unidentified people allegedly pelted stones at a car belonging to Zuber, son of newly elected sarpanch Akhtari, on Sunday. The car's front and side windows were damaged, and Zuber suffered a minor injury near his eye. Mandal police reached the spot after receiving information about the incident. Meanwhile, booth-level officer Ashok Baria died after his health suddenly deteriorated during the nomination process for the deputy sarpanch election in Duka gram panchayat in Dungarpur district's Simalwara area. He was taken to Simalwara hospital where doctors declared him dead. The cause of death was not immediately known. Polling for panch and sarpanch posts was held across 16 districts on Saturday, recording an overall turnout of 80.09% by 6 pm, according to the figures provided. Sedwa panchayat samiti in Barmer recorded the highest turnout at 93.03%, while Kalindri panchayat samiti in Sirohi recorded the lowest at 57.35%....