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10 killed in police firing in Assam panchayat
polls
Tuesday February 12, 2013 10:04:14 PM,
IANS
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Guwahati:
At least 10 people were killed in police firing during panchayat
polls in Assam's Goalpara district Tuesday, police said.
Security forces opened fire to prevent polling officials from
being lynched by a mob that was opposing the elections, Principal
Secretary (Home) G.D. Tripathy told IANS.
He said the security personnel resorted to firing after a mob
attacked officials who were in the area to conduct the third round
of panchayat polling.
Ten bodies were recovered from Dhupdhara, Krishnai, Rangjuli and
Bekipul areas, he said. There were reports of sporadic violence
from Kamrup district too, he added.
Indefinite curfew was imposed in some areas of Goalpara and Kamrup
district, which falls under the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC),
Tripathy said.
Eight army columns were rushed to the violence-affected areas and
troops also carried out a flag march, he said.
Tripathy said 20 people, including polling officials and police
and security personnel were injured.
Anticipating violence, the state government had already deployed
23 companies of security forces in Goalpara and 20 in Kamrup.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi called the violence unfortunate
and announced ex-gratia relief of Rs.five lakh to the kin of each
of the deceased and Rs.50,000 to each injured.
He also promised compensation to those whose houses were damaged,
a statement from the chief minister's office said.
It said panchayat polls were held in Rabha Hasong as it was the
government's "constitutional duty" and promised to hold RHAC
elections once the panchayat polls were over.
It also said voting would be held at a later date in areas where
it was not possible to hold polling Tuesday.
There was tension in the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council areas
since Monday ahead of the polls with sporadic violence and people
blocking roads to polling stations.
Thousands also took to the streets Monday to enforce a "janata
curfew" (public curfew) to stop polling officials in Goalpara and
parts of Kamrup from reaching polling stations.
The Rabhas has been opposing panchayat polls in RHAC areas,
demanding council elections first.
The government, however, decided to hold the polls in the entire
state citing constitutional obligations.
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