Violence in tribal areas : 65 per cent turnout in Asom

Guwahati, Apr 10 (UNI) Sporadic violence marred the polling in the tribal areas even as more than 65 per cent of 8.2 million electorate exercised their rights to franchise in the second and final phase of the Asom Assembly elections to 61 seats today.

However, the election commission officials said that figure could go up as the final figure was yet to pour in from the remote reas.

Sources also informed that there were some militancy-related incidents in Karbi Anglong, while in Bodoland, there were some reports of intimidation.

In Karbi Anglong, one CRPF jawan was abducted and one bomb exploded in which two BSF personnel sustained injuries, while in Bodoland area, one teacher was killed in pre-poll violence.

In most parts of the 61 constituencies, the polling was peaceful and long queues were seen till the end of the stipulated voting time.

The first phase of polling in the state on April 3 had registered 73 per cent turnout with no incident of violence reported.

The fate of altogether 482 candidates, 451 male and 31 female, would be decided in today's poll.

Amongst the important personalities on the fray were Mr Brindabon Goswami, the AGP president, former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta as well as new entrant of Asom politics Mr Badruddin Ajmal, the president of the Asom United Democratic Front.

Eds: Please pick up suitably from earlier series.

UNI SG-MT SJC VD ND1710