Karbi blot in peaceful Asom poll, 75 per cent turnout

Guwahati, Apr 10 (UNI) Violence in the insurgency-affected Karbi Anglong district today marred the second and final phase of the Asom assembly elections, which was otherwise peaceful with 75 per cent polling.

The violence left one person dead, another kidnapped and three security personnel critically injured.

The boycott call given by the Karbi militants sparked off three major incidents, but still there was more than 60 per cent polling in the four constituencies of Karbi Anglong district.

According to official reports at least three security personnel were critically injured and one was kidnapped as the Karbi militants let loose mayhem in the Howraghat and Bokajan constituency of the district.

In other parts of the state, polling was by and large peaceful registering 75 per cent turnout. ''It should be around 75 per cent as the exact figure will be computed later,'' said Mr R C Jain, EC official.

In Karbi Anglong there was an ambush on a poll party which left a CRPF personnel critically injured. Another jawan was abducted.

But the biggest incident was near Dongamokam when an IED was exploded injuring two BSF personnel. They were shifted to the Guwahati Medical College(GMC).

In the Bodoland area also, there were minor incidents of group clashes and intimidation because of which some arrests were also made. However, on a pre poll attack, a teacher was killed last night.

In most parts of the 61 constituencies that went to polls in the second phase, voting was peaceful and spontaneous with people standing in long queues well past the end of the stipulated voting time.

The first phase of polling on April 3 was peaceful and registered 73 per cent turnout. This time polling would be little more as was evident in the long queues.

An 8.2 million strong electorate would choose their representatives from among 482 candidates, 451 of whom are males and 31 females.

Amongst important personalities in the fray are AGP president Brindabon Goswami, former chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta as well as new entrant in Asom politics Mr Badruddin Ajmal, the president of the Asom United Democratic Front.

Reports from Mangaldoi, Haflong and Dhubri spoke of heavy polling of up to 70 per cent.

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