Pre-poll violence

The campaigning for the first phase of polls drew to a close on Saturday, leaving voters to reflect calmly on who they would vote for on April 4. But peace seems to be eluding several constituencies going for polls on Tuesday, with more violence likely in the second phase. About ten days back, there was much trouble in Samaguri in gaon district, with Congress and BJP supporters engaging in a series of clashes, attacking convoys of leaders coming for campaigning. Last week, a grede exploded near an AIUDF electoral office set up at Kalughat in Salmara-Mankachor district. At about the same time in Dhekiajuli,  a BJP electoral office was set on fire. On Friday last at a Congress public meet in Katlichera, party leaders Gautam Roy and Siddique Ahmed were injured in stone-pelting by suspected AIUDF supporters. The next day at Amguri constituency, Congress and BJP-AGP supporters reportedly fought pitched battles. News of similar clashes between supporters of these parties have come in from Gohpur, Dhemaji and other places.  With the stakes high in assembly election this time around, some unscrupulous candidates are indulging in blatant hate speech, while surreptitiously egging on their supporters to wreak mayhem on rivals. The Election Commission needs to keep a strict watch on the situation and keep the law enforcers on their toes, to prevent untoward incidents before and on polling day which could hamper free and fair voting.