8 killed, 9 injured in Karbi Anglong polls

Diphu, Asom, Jan 6 (UNI) Eight people were killed and nine injured in three landmine blasts at Langkar-Om in Karbi Anglong district of Asom, even as the District Autonomous Council polled 80 per cent votes today to decide the fate of 170 candidates.

According to official sources, suspected Karbi Longpi N C Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF) insurgents planted three powerful landmines that exploded when two buses, carrying polling personnel from three polling stations, were returning from Nomati MAC.

The explosions were so powerful that one of the buses was thrown away killing eight people on the spot.

The nine injured were admitted to Naogaon Civil Hospital.

Those killed included a presiding officer, a second polling officer, one polling personnel, one ASI and four constables.

Earlier in the day, a CRPF patrolling party had a close escape when a missile missed the target at Donghalf this evening.

In another incident two bombs were hurled at a crowd at Chowkihola constituency at around 1400 hours. One bomb exploded.

However, there was also no casualty or injury, sources here said.

These two explosion were also carried out by the KLNLF ultras.

Polling was otherwise peacefull to the 25 member Karbi Anglong District Autonomus Council.

Around 80 per cent people cast their votes, which was very high for the region.

Over 5.54 lakhs voters have sealed the fates of 170 candidates in the ballot boxes in the Karbi Anglong District autonomous Council polling to elect its 25 members. However, election in one constituency was suspended following the death of one candidate.

UNI