Blank firing in Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council election

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Incidents marked the KAAC (Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council) poll. On the other hand, the bye-poll in the Koklabari constituency in the BTC (Bodoland Territorial Council) was peaceful. The police resorted to blank firing to bring the situation under control in a polling station in West Karbi Anglong.

According to allegations by the local people, they saw empty ballot boxes being taken along with filled ones to the strong room at Diphu. The local people staged protests in front of the strong room at Diphu.

The voting started at 7.30 am in 906 polling stations in the KAAC and 97 polling stations in the Koklabari constituency in BTC. As many as 154 candidates are vying for the 26 seats of KAAC members. The Koklabari constituency in the BTC has four candidates.

According to the local people, the stamp meant for the casting votes in Punja ME School under the Duar Amla Constituency in the West Karbi Anglong district went missing in the afternoon. The stamp was found in a nearby jungle later. The incident created a commotion among the local people who smelt a rat. Some local people went berserk, had a scuffle with the police personnel, took out the ballot box, broke it and torched the ballots. The police resorted to blank firing to bring the situation under control.

There were also reports of a few incidents in some other polling stations in the hill district.

Talking to The Sentinel, West Karbi Anglong Deputy Commissioner Krishna Baruah said, "Punja ME School had two polling stations. There will be a repoll in the school on June 10."

The counting of votes of both the polls will be on June 12.

Also Read:   Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council poll, Koklabari bye-election today

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