Election Observer Captain JM Pathania rides buffalo cart, bhut bhuti and motor cycle in a single day

Our Correspondent

MANGALDAI: Commissioner of Transport of Himachal Pradesh, Captain JM Pathania, before coming to Assam as the Election Observer (General) appointed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) for No. 8 Mangaldai HPC, perhaps had no idea that in a single day he would have the opportunity to enjoy three rides –motor cycle ride, buffalo cart ride and a ride on a country boat fitted with engine (bhut bhuti). As a young officer in the Army in his youth, he might have availed a motorcycle ride or a journey by bhut bhuti but a ride on a buffalo cart was a never-before experience for this energetic IAS officer.

Captain Pathania has also created a record in the election history of Darrang district by becoming the only Election Observer to visit the polling stations in the far-flung remote areas of the district, mostly in the sar areas of River Brahmaputra, which do not have any road connectivity.

On April 8, the Election Observer visited three polling stations - No. 280 (right), 281 (middle) and 282 (left) at Gasbari LP School under 67 Mangaldai LAC (SC). But to reach his destination, he had to reach Mayong via Guwahati by road and leave his Innova car there to avail a bhut bhuti journey on River Brahmaputra and finally get on a buffalo cart for his onward journey to the char areas. In the Gasbari LP School premises, he closely interacted with the electorates and took stock of the situation. Earlier on April 7, Captain Pathania made an extensive journey in the char areas, namely Chaulkhowa, Kirakata and Dholpur on a motor cycle to see the poll arrangements. Principal of DIET, Darrang at Dalgaon, Madhab Sarma, who has been appointed as the Protocol Officer to the Election Observer, accompanied him during the journey.

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