Nine held as sporadic clashes mark Assam Polls; voting remains smooth
Clashes reported across Tamulpur, Sivasagar & beyond, but security forces maintain firm grip on ground situation
A security personnel stands guard as people wait in queues to cast their votes at a polling station, in Darrang. (Photo:PTI)
Guwahati, Apr 9: Nine people were held in connection with election-related violence at three places in Assam till 1 pm, on Thursday.
Besides, minor clashes also erupted at several polling booths after voting began in the morning, with people suffering minor injuries, they said.
Inspector General of Police (Law and Order), Akhilesh Kumar Singh, said 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 site.
Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) Chief Executive Member Hagrama Mohilary said a detailed enquiry 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 said.
In another incident, two to three members of a political party were attacked in Sivasagar, the IG said. "We have detained three persons there. The investigation is going on," he said.
Akhil Gogoi, who is seeking re-election from the 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.
A number of minor clashes have erupted at several polling stations in Sribhumi, Golaghat and Nagaon districts.
In Golaghat, police detained two individuals after an incident of poll-related violence was reported from Merapani Kalyanpur polling station.
Identified as Savin Kurmi and Mukut Haloi, they were detained and later sent for medical treatment due to injuries sustained in the clash.
"Most of the clashes took place due to heavy rush, with people fighting over breaking the queue," an official said.
At some polling booths in places like Patharkandi, Merapani and Raha, supporters of ruling and opposition parties clashed, he said.
"However, police were already present in those areas, and the situations were handled instantly. The polling is going on uninterrupted," he added.
The BJP-led NDA is seeking a third consecutive term in power in these elections, while the Congress is looking to reclaim the state it lost a decade ago.
With inputs from PTI