News Analysis India

Tag: Assam Assembly polls

  • Assam Assembly elections: Congress holds protest over EVM row

    By PTI
    GUWAHATI: Following a controversy over a polling team in Assam carrying an EVM in the vehicle belonging to the wife of a BJP candidate, the Congress on Saturday held a protest against the incident and alleged that the ruling party in the state is indulging in electoral manipulation.

    Amid slogan-shouting by the party workers, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Ripun Bora urged the Election Commission to take strict action against the BJP leaders who carry out illegal activities that hamper the polling process.

    The protest rally was not allowed to move forward on the busy arterial G S Road and stopped at the gate of the state Congress headquarters ‘Rajiv Bhawan’.

    Bora submitted a memorandum to Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime and Law and Order) Debaraj Upadhaya to send it to the Office of Chief Electoral Officer of the state.

    Violence had broken out in Karimganj district of Assam on Thursday night after a crowd spotted the BJP candidate’s vehicle being used to transport a polled EVM to the strong room, forcing the police to fire in the air to bring the situation under control.

    The incident snowballed into a huge controversy on Friday morning with the opposition Congress and AIUDF alleging that the EVM was being “stolen”, prompting the Election Commission to suspended four poll officials and order a repoll at the booth as a video of the fiasco went viral on social media.

    According to a district official, the vehicle of the polling party of the 149-Indira MV School in the Ratabari constituency broke down on its way to the strong room in Karimganj town, and they took a lift on a private car.

    Incidentally, the car was registered under the name of the wife of the sitting BJP MLA from Patharkandi Krishnendu Paul who is seeking re-election from the same seat this time, the official had said.

    Ratabari is currently represented by BJP MLA Bijoy Malakar, who is contesting the election as well.

    “Krishnendu Paul was found carrying an EVM in his car.

    This was done in violation of the Election Code of Conduct and the laws laid down under the Representation of Peoples Act, 1951,” Bora said, citing his party’s memorandum.

    He also alleged that people found several EVMs in a vehicle not requisitioned for election purpose near Hatipura polling station in Diphu town.

    “Several voting machines were also seized in Jamunamukh constituency when being carried by government officials without security personnel.

    An EVM was missing from a polling booth in Kalaigaon segment,” the Congress claimed in its representation to the CEO.

    Congress Campaign Committee chairman Pradyut Bordoloi said, “We urged the EC to uphold the sanctity of political representation in a democracy and take action against the glaring misuse of power by the ruling regime in Assam.

    ” “The party and the people are convinced that the BJP is rattled, that is why it is resorting to treachery to win the elections,” he alleged.

    Meanwhile, the Election Commission reduced the 48-hour campaign ban imposed on Assam minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma to 24 hours after he tendered an “unconditional apology” and assured the poll panel that he will abide by the provisions of the model code.

    The BJP leader now can start campaigning from Saturday evening.

    He was on Friday initially barred from campaigning- related activities till April 4 for allegedly making threatening remarks against Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) chief Hagrama Mohilary.

    The Congress had approached the EC demanding action against Sarma for his remark that Mohilary would be sent to jail through central probe agency NIA if he does “extremism” with rebel leader M Batha.

    The BPF is an ally of the Congress in Assam.

    It was previously with the BJP.

    Canvassing for the third and final phase of Assam assembly elections comes to an end on the evening of April 4.

    The final phase of polling will be held on April 6.

    The Assam Congress chief also urged the poll panel to take action against state minister Pijush Hazarika who allegedly threatened two journalists for reporting about a controversial campaign speech by his wife.

    The minister is contesting from the Jagiroad constituency where polling took place in the second phase on Thursday.

  • Government working sincerely to implement Assam Accord, most problems resolved: PM Narendra Modi

    By PTI
    The central government is working sincerely to fully implement the Assam Accord, said PM Narendra Modi while addressing a rally at Tamulpur in Assam’s Baksa district ahead of the third phase of Assembly polls in the state. He also said that most of the issues regarding the pact is solved and and the “rest will be resolved too”.

    The prime minister said that people of the state have rejected violence for development, peace, unity and stability.

    He asserted that the NDA government formulated policies that are non-discriminatory and for all sections of society.”Though we formulate policies for all without discrimination, some who work for just one section are termed secular whereas those who work for all types of people are called communal,” Modi said, attacking the Congress over long years of violence in the state.

    “It’s unfortunate that those who divided society and threw crumbs of development at particular sections for their vote bank politics are said to be practising secularism while we, who ensure that development reaches all, are termed communal,” he added.

    “The NDA government has strived to holistically empower every section of society with our mantra ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas’. This game of secularism and communalism has hurt the nation a lot,” he said.

    The prime minister said that during the last five years, the “double engine” NDA governments at the Centre and in the state have resulted in “double benefit” for Assam. He came down heavily on those claimimg what people who will form the next government will look like and wear.

    Modi was apparently referring to the comments by Abdur Rahim, the son of AIUDF founder and MP Badruddin Ajmal, a Congress ally, who Friday asserted “dadhi, topi and lungi wallahs” will form the next government in the state. “There cannot be a bigger insult to Assam. The people of Assam will not tolerate those who insult Assam’s pride and identity and will give them a befitting reply through the ballot,” he said.

    He asserted that the people of the state have decided to vote the NDA to power again. “I say this on the strength of the love, affection and enthusiam they have shown for the NDA in the two phases of polling already held. They are with development, stability, peace, harmony and unity,” he added.

    He also urged militants in the state to surrender. “Those who are yet to surrender should return to their mainstream lives as they can create an ‘Atmanirbhar Assam,” the Prime Minister said.

    Addressing a rally in Tamulpur. Watch. https://t.co/sBxRPPVF2c
    — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 3, 2021

    Earlier, the EC on Friday barred senior Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma from campaigning for 48 hours for allegedly making threatening remarks against Bodoland People’s Front Chief Hagrama Mohilary.

    The third phase of the Assam assembly polls is set to take place on April 6. The second phase that took place on Thursday saw a voter turnout of 74.76 per cent. Polling for the third and final phase will be held on April 6 and the counting of votes will take place on May 2.

    (With inputs from PTI)

  • It is Congress’ history to spread communalism by collaborating with communal parties: Nadda at Assam

    By ANI
    GUWAHATI: Taking a swipe at the Congress for its alliances in various states, BJP president JP Nadda on Saturday said the Congress, which itself is associated with communal parties, alleges that the BJP is communal.

    “In Kerala, they are fighting against Communist Party of India (Marxist), and in Bengal and Assam, they are with CPI(M), so what is their thought. If we talk of communalism, in Kerala they are with the Muslim League (Indian Union Muslim League), they are with Abbas (Siddiqui) in Bengal, and here in Assam with Badruddin (Ajmal). And they call us communal,” said the BJP leader.

    He said that it is Congress’ history to “spread communalism” by “collaborating with communal parties”, and added, “the people of Assam know this and they have taught them a lesson in two phases and they will also do so in the third as well.”

    When asked about Rahul Gandhi’s statement calling Badruddin part of Assam’s culture, Nadda said, “Rahul Gandhi’s information is limited, he has lesser knowledge of Assam’s culture. The day before yesterday, he (Gandhi) threw a gamcha, so is that the identity of Assam? Or Assam’s identity is Shreemant Sankar Dev, Gopinath Bordoloi or Bhupendra Hazarika? They are the identity of Assam’s culture and language.”

    Nadda also said that the people who practice politics of opportunism are in a “desperate situation” will take support of “such type of people” (Baddruddin).

    Badruddin Ajmal is the chief of All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF). Congress has stitched a broad alliance in Assam that includes AIUDF, the Communist Party of India, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, the Anchalik Gana Marcha (AGM), and the Bodoland Peoples’ Front (BPF).

  • Assam polls 2021: EC transfers minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s cop brother from Goalpara district

    By PTI
    GUWAHATI: After barring Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma from campaigning in the assembly polls for 48 hours, the Election Commission has also transferred his brother and Goalpara Superintendent of Police Sushanta Biswa Sarma from the district.

    An order issued by the Commission on Friday said that Sarma shall be transferred to some suitable post in the state headquarters and IPS officer Veera Venakata Rakesh Reddy shall be posted with immediate effect as the new Superintendent of Police of Goalpara district, which will go to polls in the third and last phase on April 6.

    The order, signed by EC Under Secretary Love Kush Yadav, also stated that the compliance report shall be furnished to the Commission immediately. The EC on Friday barred the senior Assam minister from campaigning for 48 hours for allegedly making threatening remarks against Bodoland People’s Front Chief Hagrama Mohilary.

    The Commission barred him from holding any public meetings, processions, rallies, roadshows, interviews and utterances in media (electronic, print, social media) in connection with ongoing elections for 48 hours with immediate effect on April 2.

    Campaigning for the third and final phase of the assembly elections ends on April 4 at 6 pm. Following the EC order, the minister tweeted, “I am asked by ECI to stop campaigning for the next 48 hours. Therefore, all my meetings scheduled for tomorrow stand cancelled.”

    I am asked by ECI to stop campaigning for next 48 hours. Therefore all my meetings scheduled for tomorrow stand cancelled.
    — Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) April 2, 2021

    The Congress had filed a complaint with the EC on March 30 alleging that Sarma had openly threatened the BPF chief, an alliance partner of the grand old party, violating the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct.

    The minister replied on Friday to the show cause issued to him, which he released on his Twitter handle, but the Commission did not find his reply satisfactory.

    AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal, the prime target of the BJP’s verbal attacks in the ongoing polls, reacted on Twitter, “Threatening, spreading hatred, bullying leaders, stealing EVMs…there is nothing that the BJP won’t do.”

    He welcomed the ECI’s decision in support of Mohilary who was “threatened with retribution through state agencies”.

  • Comments were not threat against Hagrama Mohilary, says Himanta Biswa Sarma in reply to EC

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: Assam Minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma, who has been barred by the Election Commission for campaigning in the ongoing assembly elections, has said that his remarks for Bodoland People’s Front chief Hagrama Mohilary were “not a threat” to misuse the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

    The Congress complained on March 30 that the BJP leader “openly threatened” to send Mohilary to jail by “misusing” the NIA.

    On Friday, the EC barred Sarma from campaigning for the next 48 hours in the ongoing assembly elections.

    In his reply to the EC — the letter of which he tweeted on Saturday — Sarma said his remarks meant that the investigation can be handed over to the NIA as the place of occurrence of crime falls near international as well as the inter-state border.

    He also justified the mention of Mahilary with relation to the case, saying that an ongoing investigation has proved the connection of Mahilary to the case.

    “IGP Assam wrote to the government of Assam to consider the case for transfer to NIA at the earliest on the basis that the place of occurrence falls near international as well as inter-state border and there would be a need for investigation of the case beyond the state of Assam to unearth all the linkage of the case and also the matter pertains to security and the integrity of the nation and therefore it is of paramount importance to nab all the accused,” he said in his reply to the EC.

    “It has come to the knowledge of the undersigned (Himanta Biswa Sarma) herein that the investigation of the case progressed so far has indicated close connection and nexus of Hagrama Mahilary and his party with the nabbed accused persons and the Election Commission of India may be pleased to call for the case records from the state police department to verify the same,” he further said.

    The Assam minister said that a newspaper headline had created confusion by distorting his statements and clarified that he only meant that “if Hagrama does extremism with Batha and encourages him then he will go to jail”.

    ALSO READ | EC transfers minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s cop brother from Goalpara district

    “It is stated that the headline of the newspaper clipping dated 29 03 2021 “Hagrama will be jailed for encouraging Batha’s extremism: Himanta Biswa Sarma” is a distorted statement of the undersigned by the said newspaper. From the said distorted statement in the headline, it transpires that the undersigned has said that Hagrama Mahilary would be jailed for encouraging Batha’s extremism, meaning thereby that from the said headline it appears to be a conclusion drawn by the undersigned that Hagrama has encouraged Batha’s extremism and he will be jailed. But actually, in response to a query of a journalist who had asked whether the undersigned was trying to send Hagrama Mahilary to jail, and in response to the said query the undersigned had replied that if Hagrama does extremism with Batha and encourages him then he will go to jail,” read the reply.

    The second phase that took place on Thursday saw a voter turnout of 74.76 per cent. Polling for the third and final phase will be held on April 6 and the counting of votes will take place on May 2. 

  • Election Commission bars Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma from campaigning for 48 hours

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Friday barred Assam minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma from campaigning for 48 hours with immediate effect for allegedly making threatening remarks against Bodoland People’s Front chief Hagrama Mohilary.

    “…The Commission hereby strongly condemns the impugned statements made by Himanta Biswa Sarma..”

    “The Commission..bars him from holding any public meetings, public processions, public rallies, road shows, interviews and public utterances in media (electronic, print, social media) in connection with ongoing elections for 48 hours from immediate effect on April 02 (Friday),” the order read.

    Sarma has thus been barred from campaigning and related activities till April 4.

    Campaigning for the third and final phase of Assam assembly elections comes to an end on the evening of April 4.

    The final phase of polling will be held on April 6.

    In his reply on Friday to the EC notice, Sarma denied the allegations.

    But the EC said it did not find Sarma’s reply satisfactory.

    The Congress had approached the EC demanding action against Sarma for his remark that Mohilary would be sent to jail through central probe agency NIA if he does “extremism” with rebel leader M Batha.

    The Bodoland People’s Front is an ally of the Congress in Assam.

    It was previously with the BJP.

    On Thursday, the EC notice to Sarma quoted transcript of the speech provided by the state election machinery.

    “If Hagrama does extremism with Batha he will go to jail. This is a straight talk. If Hagrama encourages Batha, he will go to jail. Already got lot of evidence. This case is being given to NIA,” according to a portion of Sarma’s speech made part of the notice.

  • No deliberate or mala fide intention to disrupt poll process: EC’s special observer on Assam EVM row

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The Election Commission’s (EC) special observer on Friday said there was no “deliberate or mala fide intention” to disrupt the poll process after a controversy erupted in Assam when a polling party carried an EVM after voting in a vehicle that belonged to the wife of a BJP candidate from a neighbouring seat.

    The observer said the incident appears to be an isolated one “due to the total negligence and foolishness of the presiding officer and his team”.

    The commission ordered a repoll on Friday at a polling booth in Assam’s Ratabari Assembly constituency after the controversy.

    To prevent the polling team from being assaulted in Karimganj by a mob, which alleged that the electronic voting machine (EVM) was being taken for tampering, police had to use force.

    In a statement earlier in the day, the EC said the presiding officer and three other officials were placed under suspension.

    The special observer also recommended that action be taken against the armed escort officer for leaving behind the stranded polling party and not ensuring its safe arrival at the destination.

    He said there does not seem to be any ground to change the RO (returning officer) as it appears to be an isolated incident “due to the total negligence and foolishness of the presiding officer and his team”.

    “There is otherwise no deliberate or mala fide intention in the incident aimed to disrupt the polling process,” the special observer said.

    To ensure credibility and fairness, it is appropriate to order a repoll in PS (polling station) number 149 – Indira MV School of LAC 1 Ratabari, the observer added.

    “Consequent to commission’s decision, Presiding Officer Sahab Uddin Talukdar, First Polling Officer Sourav Acharjee, Second Polling Officer Abdul Mumit Choudhary, Third Polling Officer Sahab Uddin Tapadar have already been placed under suspension since forenoon today,” the poll panel said.

    Thereafter, on the receipt of the special general observer’s report, Armed Escort Officer Luhit Gohain, Sub-Inspector of Police (Armed Branch) of the 3rd Assam Police Battalion, Titabor, was also suspended, it added.

    “Although the seals of the EVM were found intact, it has nevertheless been decided to do a re-poll at No.149 – Indira M V School of LAC 1 Ratabari (SC) as an added precaution,” the poll panel said in the afternoon.

    According to the details made public by the EC, the polling party of polling booth number 149 of the Ratabari constituency consisted of a presiding officer and three polling personnel.

    They were accompanied by a police constable and a home guard.

    After the completion of polling at 6 pm on Thursday, the polling party left in a vehicle provided by the election authorities and was escorted by an armed escort.

    It was raining heavily and the vehicle developed a snag.

    “Due to traffic congestion and the prevailing weather condition, the party became detached from its convoy,” the EC statement said.

    The polling party got off the vehicle and asked the sector officer over the phone to arrange for another one.

    While the sector officer was arranging for a vehicle, the polling party decided to arrange one on its own to reach the Material Receipt Centre faster since it was in custody of polled EVMs.

    The polling party stopped a passing vehicle and boarded it along with the EVM, comprising a ballot unit (BU), a control unit (CU) and a paper trail machine (VVPAT), and other things, without checking the ownership of the vehicle.

    As reported by the polling party, the vehicle moved towards Karimganj and had to slow down due to traffic.

    As the vehicle slowed down, it was surrounded by a mob of about 50 people that started pelting stones at the polling party.

    The mob also abused them and did not allow the vehicle to pass.

    When they asked the leader of the mob, he said the vehicle belongs to Krishnendu Paul, the BJP candidate from a neighbouring constituency (Patharkandi LAC-2), and alleged that “the EVM was being taken to be tampered with”.

    “It was only then that they realised that something was amiss and alerted the sector officer. However, a larger crowd had gathered by then and they were attacked and held hostage by a mob along with the EVM in the vehicle at 2145 hrs, alleging that the EVM was being taken to be tampered with,” the statement said.

    “In the meanwhile, the antecedents of the vehicle were ascertained and it was found to be registered in the name of Madhumita Paul, wife of contesting candidate, Patharkandi LAC (legislative assembly constituency) No 2, Krishnendu Paul,” it added.

    Police reached the spot along with the district election officer and used force to pull out the polling party.

    Later, on examination, the seals of the polled EVM were found to be intact with no damage whatsoever.

    “All the items have been deposited in the strong room,” the statement said.

  • Opposition parties press for disqualification of Assam Minister from polls for threatening scribes

    By PTI
    GUWAHATI: Opposition Congress, AIUDF, Raijor Dal and Assam Jatiya Dal on Friday demanded immediate disqualification of Minister Pijush Hazarika from Assembly polls for allegedly threatening two journalists for reporting a controversial election speech of his wife.

    An FIR has been registered against Hazarika, who is Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, with Jagiroad police station in Morigaon district on the basis of complaint filed by the concerned journalist Najrul Islam.

    The complainant has also been provided a police bodyguard with immediate effect.

    In an audio clip telecast by Assamese news channel Pratidin Time, Hazarika was heard talking to journalist Nazrul Islam and, during the conversation, the minister threatened him and another scribe, Tulsi, to drag them out of their homes and “vanish” them.

    Addressing a press conference here, All India Congress Committee General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala condemned the threats of Hazarika and said his outburst is a signal of his loss from the Jagiroad constituency.

    The AIUDF Organisational General Secretary Aminul Islam slammed the BJP leader and said the power has made him arrogant and disrespectful.

    Raijor Dal Advisers Sitanath Lahkar and Ghanashyam Nath said there are enough grounds under relevant sections of the law to disqualify the BJP minister from the ongoing elections.

    “We strongly condemn the language and threat to journalists by minister Pijush Hazarika. He behaved like a goon. The Election Commission should immediately disqualify him and that is our demand,” Lahkar said.

    There are sufficient grounds as per the Section 123 of the Representation of People Act, 1951 and Section 171C of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 to disqualify the minister, he added.

    “A journalist worked as per his ethics and Hazarika threatened to make him disappear, drag him and break his legs. What does it mean? Is it not a language of a goon? “Unfortunately, we are seeing that the ECI is not taking actions as required. They need to be more strict,” the Raijor Dal Advisers said.

    The Assam Jatiya Parishad General Secretary Jagadish Bhuyan too condemned the threat to a journalist and demanded immediate action against the BJP minister.

    Hundreds of journalists, advocates, students, intellectuals and other sections of the society came out on roads during the day and protested against Hazarika’s threats to the two scribes and demanded immediate arrest of the BJP minister.

    The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chhatra Parishad (AJYCP) have also condemned the action and asked the ECI to disband him from the polls.

    The Assam Congress chief Ripun Bora filed a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer, Assam and demanded to disqualify Hazarika from Assembly polls.

    The Gauhati Press Club (GPC) also condemned the “act of intimidation in the strongest words” and said that it is very unbecoming of a public representative to threaten a journalist of dire consequences, no matter what.

    Hazarakia said in the phone conversation, which has now gone viral, that he was “sad” because the news was related to his wife Aimee Baruah, who in campaign for her husband a few days ago made a controversial comment on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

    At a public meeting a few days ago in Jagiroad constituency of Hazarika, Baruah was seen stating that the people from the Bengali community will be thrown out of the country if the CAA is not implemented.

    Hazarika, who is in the fray from Jagiroad constituency where voting is over, could not be reached for his comment on the issue.

  • Assam polls: Congress launches all-out attack after EVMs allegedly found in BJP candidate’s car

    Express News Service
    GUWAHATI: The Congress on Friday launched an all-out attack on the Election Commission and the BJP hours after electronic voting machines (EVMs) were retrieved from the car of a “BJP MLA”.

    “We have written to the Election Commission asking it if it is a party to EVM theft or it has closed its eyes like Dhritarashtra. The EVMs were found in the vehicle of BJP’s Patharkandi candidate (and sitting MLA) Krishnendu Paul and you have ordered re-poll at a booth in Ratabari constituency. How did you do that? Did you conduct a probe of how the EVMs made their way into Paul’s car? Shouldn’t Paul and others be arrested? Why the EC is not showing the guts to act is our question,” Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala told journalists in Guwahati.

    He wondered if the EC was giving its back to its constitutional duties. “The EC’s credibility is being questioned today,” he said. Surjewala raised some questions and asked the Commission to answer. He asked what made it to transport EVMs in the vehicle of a BJP candidate.

    ALSO READ | Two injured as police fires rubber bullets to prevent mob from snatching EVM in Assam

    “In Hatipora of Karbi Anglong, EVMs were found in a luxury car. From when has the EC started transporting EVMs in luxury cars? It has to answer this. In Jamunamukh, EVMs were found in another vehicle. There were government officials in it but it was not escorted. There are standing Supreme Court directions that EVMs can be transported, before and after an election, only in the custody of paramilitary forces,” Surjewala said.

    He asked if it was true that an EVM disappeared from a booth in Kalaigaon and later, retrieved by the voters. He wanted to know what actions the EC had taken if the incident was true. “In Dibrugarh, the movement of suspicious people was noticed at the strong room. What action was taken?” Surjewala asked.

    He claimed the Congress-led and 10-party grand alliance of Opposition would get three/fourth majority in the polls. The third and final phase of which will be held on April 6.

    “The BJP should now be named EVM Chor Party. It will not gain much by stealing two-four EVMs. People have already given their verdict. We are winning with three/fourth majority,” Surjewala said, adding, “Staring at defeat, the BJP is doing what it usually does. It should gracefully accept defeat”.

  • Three injured in firing by Assam Assembly Deputy Speaker’s bodyguards following clashes between BJP, AIUDF supporters

    By PTI
    SILCHAR: At least three persons were injured in firing by the bodyguards of Assam Assembly Deputy Speaker Aminul Haque Laskar on Thursday after clashes broke out between supporters of BJP and AIUDF.

    Cachar district Deputy Commissioner Keerthi Jalli confirmed “an incident” and said the administration is waiting for a detailed report from the polling station at 463 Madhya Dhanehori LP School of Sonai constituency.

    “They are all non-critical,” she said when asked how many people were injured and their health status.

    When contacted the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer of Assam, Joint Chief Electoral Officer Rahul Chandra Das said they will be able to comment only after a detailed report is received from the Returning Officer.

    A huge contingent of police and central armed police forces have been deployed, while the district SP has rushed to the spot, officials said.

    According to the Dhanehori gaon panchayat president Lutfa Begum, public protested when Laskar entered the booth in late afternoon.

    “People alleged that he has tried to rig the voting. Many people rushed to the spot and confined Laskar in one room. Due to this the situation became tens. A clash broke out between supporters of Laskar and his opponent,” she added.

    Sitting MLA Laskar is having a direct contest with Karim Uddin Barbhuiya of the AIUDF at Sonai, where voting took place on Thursday in the second phase.

    “When a big crowd gathered and they tried to manhandle Laskar, his PSOs fired. In this, at least three persons were injured and they were admitted in hospitals,” Begum said.

    The wounded have been identified as Shamim Ahmed Choudhury, Baharul Islam and Kader Hussain, she added.

    Repeated calls made to IG (Law and Order)-cum-State Police Nodal Officer Deepak Kr Kedia and Cachar SP Bhanwar Lal Meena were disconnected.

    An estimated 72 per cent polling took place in Sonai, while Cachar saw a turnout of 72.28 per cent.