Guwahati/Silchar/Dibrugarh (Assam), Apr 9 (PTI) Around 30 people were injured and seven arrested in connection with poll-related violence in Assam on Thursday, officials said.
A senior police officer told PTI that the Congress candidate in Patharkandi constituency in Sribhumi district, Kartik Sena Sinha, allegedly entered the Rangamati polling booth and started an argument with the presiding officer.
“He claimed fake electors cast genuine people’s votes. When the presiding officer denied the charge, he broke the EVM. Following this, supporters of Congress and the BJP started a fight,” he added.
Sinha is locked in a direct contest with Assam minister and BJP candidate Krishnendu Paul.
“In the clash, around 25 people were injured, of whom two are serious. They have been sent to Karimganj Civil Hospital for treatment,” the officer said.
Sribhumi Senior Superintendent of Police Leena Doley reached the spot and reviewed the situation.
Voting was halted at the polling station for about three hours due to the disturbances. It resumed after election officials replaced the EVM.
“Sinha left the place, and no arrest has been made yet. Further investigation is underway,” the officer said.
In another incident, three leaders of Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) were injured in a clash with BJP supporters at Khowang constituency in Dibrugarh district, another police officer told PTI.
“According to reports, AJP alleged that BJP was running an IT cell at a house in the area. A group of AJP workers reached there along with the police. After some time, AJP leaders Samudra Barua, Swakhyar Borgohain and Chitrakamal Handique also went there,” he added.
Following a heated exchange of words, the AJP workers and BJP activists got involved in a physical brawl, in which the three AJP leaders were injured, the officer said.
When contacted, Dibrugarh Senior Superintendent of Police Gaurav Abhijit Dilip said, “The building seems to be a party office and further investigation is underway to ascertain what exactly was going on there. Till now, no arrest has been made.” Besides, minor clashes have also been reported in many polling booths across several districts after voting began in the morning, with people suffering minor injuries.
“Most of the clashes took place due to heavy rush, with people fighting over breaking the queue,” an official said.
At some polling booths, supporters of the ruling and opposition parties clashed. However, police were already present in those areas, and the situations were handled instantly, he added.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Akhilesh Kumar Singh told PTI that violence took place in Tamulpur and Sivasagar on Wednesday night, hours before polling began for the assembly elections at 7 am.
“We got reports of a clash between two groups at Tamulpur last night. Police reached the spot immediately and tried to control the crowd. When they did not listen, a few rounds were fired in the air to disperse the mob,” he said, adding that four people were arrested from the spot.
Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) Chief Executive Member Hagrama Mohilary said a detailed inquiry will reveal the cause of the clash in Tamulpur.
“The situation is normal now. We are monitoring it, and there is enough security presence to avoid any untoward incident,” he added.
In another incident, some members of a political party were attacked in Sivasagar, Singh said.
“We have detained three persons. An investigation is underway,” he added.
Akhil Gogoi, who is seeking re-election from Sibsagar seat, alleged that BJP nominee Kushal Dowari was behind the incident.
In a series of social media posts, Gogoi claimed two people were injured, and their vehicles were also damaged in the attack. PTI COR TR SOM TR ACD
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