The death toll rose to 12 in panchayat poll violence in lower Assam’s Goalpara district on Tuesday.
The Assam state government said eight people were killed in police firing incidents during the clashes between protesters and security forces reported so far, following the protesters blocking the roads, attacking polling officials, security personnel, polling booths, and set ablaze ballot boxes during the third phase of panchayat polls in Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC) areas.
According to reports, at least 9 people were killed and 30 others injured in police firing incidents and three others were killed during a clash between tribal groups and non-tribal groups.
Several organizations have called for public curfew in RHAC areas protest against holding the panchayat poll.
“We have reported that eight people were killed in police firing incidents,” said Assam state government Parliamentary Secretary Bhupen Bora.
The incidents took place at several areas under Dudhnoi and Krishnai police stations, following the protesters had attacked polling stations and set ablaze vehicles, ballot boxes and several houses.
The firing and group clashes incidents occurred at several areas under Dudhnoi and Krishnai police stations, in which four people were killed in Bekipul area, three each in Kahibari and Dhanubhanga area, two each in Kachadol and Rakhyasini area and one people died in Chiluk.
The victims were identified as Nikon Rabha, Panchami Rabha, Pradeep Rabha, Helbong Rabha, Barebala Rabha, Aloka Rabha, Bengbeng Rabha, Bichitra Rabha, Tapan Rabha, Ambhu Rabha, Dharanidhar Rabha and Amrit Rabha.
“Thousand protesters came out with sharp weapons and lathis and blockade road, attacked polling officials, voters, security personnel in several police stations,” a district administration official said.
Meanwhile, at least five security personnel including a army officer and two police officers were injured and attacked by protesters in the district.
The injured people were rushed to the Goalpara civil hospital.
In separate incidents, miscreants set ablaze five security forces vehicles, three primary schools and eight ballot boxes on Tuesday.
Miscreants torched at least 30 houses at Khataripara village under Krishnai police station.
In separate incidents, miscreants also sneaked weapons from security personnel at Dudhnoi and Krishnai area.
26 companies of army and para military forces have been deployed in the arson marked district.
The district administration has imposed indefinite curfew in Krishnai area of the district.
Meanwhile, the Assam state government has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for injured people.
The Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said that, the state government will be constructed the houses, which were torched by miscreants.
Meanwhile, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) had blamed the state government for violence in the RHAC areas.
