Assam votes for peace despite threat from militants-Apr 5, 2011

Assam votes for peace despite threat from militants

TNN | Apr 5, 2011, 02.06am IST



A policeman stands guard as women wait in line to cast their votes outside a polling station in Thowra town, in Assam. (Reuters Photo)
GUWAHATI: Despite threats from Ulfa and Karbi militants, Assam witnessed peaceful polling in the first leg of the two-phase assembly elections on Monday. It saw a turnout of 67% — a drop of about 9% from 2006.

No reports of violence were reported from anywhere. On the contrary, Chabua, the native place of wanted Ulfa commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah recorded 72% polling, one of the highest in the 62 constituencies that went to the polls. Compared to this, neighbouring Titabor, from where chief minister Tarun Gogoi is seeking relection, witnessed just about 65% polling.

"We've had absolutely peaceful voting. Our poll percentage may go beyond 67% by the time we get final reports from the constituencies," state chief electoral officer Hemanta Narzary said. More than 46,000 security personnel with heavy weapons were deployed to maintain law and order.

For the Congress, Monday's first phase was crucial. In 2006, the party had won 37 of these 62 seats. The Congress has been losing its grip on the tea gardens of Upper Assam and Southern Barak valley. This is where the BJP is trying to create an electoral base. Tea plantation workers influence poll results in 40 of the 126 assembly seats in the state.

Baruah, who is reportedly holed up in Myanmar, had threatened to take action against the Congress accusing it of splitting his organisation. He is cut up with the ruling party after his longtime colleague and Ulfa chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa agreed to hold peace negotiations with the government after he was deported from Bangladesh in December 2009.

Coinciding with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit, Karbi militants killed three CRPF personnel in an ambush last week. The attack cast a shadow on the election process in many areas.

Reports said voting was considerably high in the Ulfa stronghold of Upper Assam. Dibrugarh recorded 68.86% polling while it was 65.40% in Tinsukia and 67.33% in Sivasagar. Titabor (Gogoi's seat) polled 65% compared to 66.67% in 2006. Lakhimpur saw 77% polling.

In Chabua, members of Baruah's family, including his mother Miliki, voted at Jerai Sakalibhoria LP School. "My mother, wife and brother voted in the election," Mission, Baruah's younger brother, said. "I am posted at Duliajan Rashtrabhasa School as a polling official," he added.

Haflong, in troubled Dima Hasao district, registered the lowest turnout of 55%. "Going by the voting trends, we may do well in the second round,too. We expect to get an absolute majority," state Congress chief Bhubaneswar Kalita said. Hundreds, however, abstained from voting in at least 20 booths at Haflong (ST) constituency in protest against the government's decision to rename NC Hills as Dima Hasao.

In Jorhat, chief minister Tarun Gogoi cast his vote after offering prayers at Madhab Temple, Tarajan Mosque, Jorhat Church, Gar-Ali Gurudwara, and Burhi Goshani Devalay. "I am sure our party will come to power. We will form the government for the third consecutive term," Gogoi said after he voted at the DCB Girls' High School.

Polling in three Bengali-dominated districts of Cachar, Karimganj and Nailakandi was also peaceful. Nearly 60% of the voters exercised their franchise.

The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), however, criticized the role of the Election Commission (EC) during the first phase of polling. It said EVMs should be repaired in front of all party representatives, but the EC has not done that.

The second phase will take place in 64 constituencies on April 11.