Guwahati: Assam’s single-phase assembly elections on Thursday were marked by sporadic clashes in multiple constituencies, leaving around 30 people injured and seven arrested while a polling official died before the start of polling in Naduar constituency in Sonitpur district. However, polling across the 126 constituencies continued largely unhindered.In Patharkandi constituency of Sribhumi district, Congress candidate Kartik Sena Sinha allegedly stormed into the Rangamati polling booth and argued with the presiding officer, accusing him of allowing fake electors to cast votes. Police said this was followed by a clash between Congress and BJP supporters, injuring about 25 people, two of them seriously.Voting was halted for nearly three hours before resuming with a replacement of a damaged EVM. Sribhumi SSP Leena Doley reached the spot to review the situation. Officials said Sinha left the booth and no arrest has been made yet, though investigations are ongoing.In another incident, three leaders of Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) were injured in a clash with BJP supporters in Khowang constituency of Dibrugarh district.AJP president Lurin Jyoti Gogoi said, “Three of our leaders — Samudra Barua, Swakhyar Borgohain and Chitrakamal Handique — have been injured by the frustrated BJP members.” No arrests have been made so far.Besides these major incidents, minor scuffles were reported at several polling booths across districts. Officials said most of these were triggered by heavy rush and disputes over queue-breaking. In some places, supporters of ruling and opposition parties clashed, but police presence ensured the situations were quickly brought under control.Police said on Wednesday night, incidents of violence were reported in Tamulpur and Sivasagar hours before polling began for the assembly elections at 7 am.In Sibsagar, two members of Raijor Dal were attacked. Police said three persons have been arrested in this connection. Raijor Dal MLA and sitting MLA Akhil Gogoi, seeking re-election from the seat, alleged BJP was behind the incident, claiming two people were injured and vehicles damaged.In the Bodoland area in Tamulpur, three UPPL workers were reportedly injured in a confrontation with BJP supporters late Wednesday night. Police reached the spot immediately and tried to control the crowd and a few rounds were fired in the air to disperse the mob. Four people were arrested there.Amid the violence, tragedy struck in Sonitpur district where polling officer Deben Horo (45) was found unconscious in his bed early Thursday morning. He was rushed to hospital but declared dead on arrival. Doctors suspect an underlying medical condition.Horo, an assistant teacher from Dopdopi Kachari Gaon in Chariduar, had been deputed at Dolapani LP School in Naduar constituency. Officials said polling began at the scheduled time of 7am with reserve staff taking his place, ensuring the process was not affected.In Karbi Anglong, the district administration lodged a police complaint after a video purportedly showing the voting process inside a Diphu polling station surfaced online.Mobiles are banned inside booths, and an FIR was filed under the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Authorities said an inquiry has been initiated to identify those responsible.Minor scuffles were also reported from Sribhumi, Golaghat and Nagaon districts, largely over queue disputes. In Merapani and Raha, rival party supporters clashed but police intervened swiftly.The Karbi Anglong district administration on Thursday lodged a police complaint after a video purportedly showing the voting process inside a polling station in Diphu constituency surfaced on social media. Officials said mobiles are strictly banned inside polling stations, with arrangements made for voters to deposit phones and bags before entering.“An incident has come to the notice of the administration regarding circulation of a video showing the election process inside a polling station,” an official stated.An FIR has been registered under provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Authorities said an inquiry has been initiated to ascertain the facts and identify those responsible, adding that appropriate legal action will be taken against any violation of election laws.
