Kokrajhar: In stray poll-related
incidents in Assam, which goes for second phase assembly
polls on Monday, two persons have been killed and three
mediapersons injured in Kokrajhar while the personal security
officer of a candidate was injured in Kamrup (rural)
districts.
Two supporters of minority-dominated All India
United Democratic Front (AIUDF) Giasuddin Sheikh and
Joyamuddin Sheikh were killed yesterday as they were hit by
missiles from a rampaging mob after AIUDF President Badaruddin
Ajmal failed to address a scheduled election rally, the police
said.
Ajmal could not arrive as his helicopter failed to
land due to a technical snag.
The correspondent of English daily `The Sentinel` and
two others of a local satellite channel were injured in stone
pelting. They have been admitted to a local hospital for
treatment.
Kokrajhar district is the headquarters of Bodoland
Territorial Council (BTC), run by the Bodoland People`s Party
(BPF), an ally of the ruling Congress which is pitted against
AIUDF.
In another poll-related incident today the personal
security officer of Congress candidate, former MP Kirip
Chaliha, was injured after he was hit on the head by a
stone hurled by supporters of the rival TC candidate at Hajo
in Kamrup (rural) district.
Police said Chaliha had entered the house of a party
activist when TC supporters blocked the area alleging that he
had gone to distribute money.
The TC activists shouted slogans and hurled stones in
which the security officer was injured and his car`s window
panes smashed.
Kamrup (rural) district Superintendent of Police
Apurba Jibon Baruah said the situation was brought under
control and Chaliha has been escorted back.
Baruah said 26 companies of additional forces have
been deployed in the district including those from the Tripura
Reserve Police Force, BSF and CRPF.
The Kokrajhar Press Club has condemned the attack on
media and demanded proper security for the media for
Monday`s poll.
PTI
