Assam poll violence: 9 killed, 15 injured

Guwahati: At least nine people were killed and 15 others, including security personnel,were injured in panchayat poll violence in lower Assam’s Goalpara district on Tuesday, officials said.

According to reports, at least nine people were killed and 10 others were injured in police firing incidents in Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC) areas in the district, during the third phase of panchayat polls.

The firing incidents occurred at several places under Dudhnoi and Krishnai police stations in the district.

Several organizations have called public curfew in RHAC areas to protest against holding the panchayat polls.

“Thousand protesters came out with sharp weapons and lathis and blocked roads, attacked polling officials, voters, security personnel in several police stations,” a district administration official said.

The firing incidents took place at Dhanubhanga Patharmari and Dudhnoi Chiluk, Kashadol, Krishnai areas, where nine people were killed and 10 others injured.

The six deceased persons were identified as Prabin Rabha, Panchami Rabha, Kendra Rabha, Ambhu Rabha, Dharanidhar Rabha and Amrit Rabha.

Meanwhile, at least five security personnel, including an army officer and two police officers, were injured after being attacked by protesters in the district.

The injured people had rushed to the Goalpara civil hospital.

In a separate incident, miscreants set ablaze five security forces vehicles, three primary schools and eight ballot boxes on Tuesday.

According to reports, miscreants also sneaked weapons from security personnel at Dudhnoi and Krishnai areas.

26 companies of army and para military forces have been deployed in the arson marked district.