Aminul Haque Laskar caught in controversy, clarifies

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

SILCHAR: Polling across the valley of Barak was on the whole peaceful with around 71.5 percent casting of votes. But some sporadic violence and EVM related unpleasant incidents did leave scary marks. District administration of Cachar in particular deserves appreciation for its untiring efforts to motivate voters to become booth bound. Since early morning, long queues of voters both in rural and urban areas were seen before the polling booths. Everything went on peaceful until at the fag end of casting of votes, an unpleasant incident caused consternation in administrative and security circles. The scene of scuffle was seen at booth number 109 of Madhya Dhanehari L P School under Sonai constituency of Cachar district.

According to ground report, AminulHaqueLaskar, sitting MLA and Deputy Speaker was present at that time when he intervened to desist a youth from malpractice to cast vote. This provoked some mischievous elements, the supporters of opposition party, who started hurling stones indiscriminately at the polling booth. In order to protect AminulHaque, his PSO allegedly opened fire in which three persons including a constable were injured. All the injured were rushed to SMCH who are undergoing treatment and convalescing. SDGP Assam police S N Singh IPS, DIG southern Assam and SP Cachar with security forces rushed to the spot. AminulHaque as well as polling staff of Dhanehari polling booth was evacuated along with secured EVMs.

AminulHaqueLaskar clarified to The Sentinel, "It was not my PSO who opened fire. Rather, the central reserve police force stationed outside the polling booth resorted to firing to disperse the crowd to maintain peace and tranquillity. The crowd mistook the firing by my PSO. I was not only kept under siege but the school building was hit by stones." He added to say he was moving from one booth to another and finally came to Dhanehari polling station and enquired from the Presiding Officer the status of votes polled, nothing more. Why his presence there provoked some is beyond his comprehension. Asked did he file any FIR? He said he would file it.

Another controversy that cropped up was related to the EVMs found on the super highway lying near an overturned vehicle and the social media clicked its pictures to raise many a question. The district administration of Cachar had to clarify that a vehicle carrying unused EVMs along with officer concerned overturned on its way to NATRIP counting centre around 8:30 pm from Lakhipur. The EVMs in question were being moved by the sector magistrate to 'd' category strong room as mandated by ECI. The EVMs' seals were intact, it was further made clear.

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