Violence mars polling in Hailakandi

Large scale rigging, booth capturing and other forms of violence have marred the third phase of panchayat polls in Hailakandi district. Despite an elaborate security arrangment, rigging have been reported in altogether 400 polling booths out of 621 booths in the Barak valley district.

Besides, hundreds of polling officials have been beaten up by the miscreants from early in the morning and even these miscreants severed a hand of polling officer. The cases of violence have forced thousands voters to stay inside their houses. As a result, more than fifty booths failed to drew even a single voter.

The annoyed polling officials later set on fire the polling materials at the controlling office premises in full view of top ranked district administration officials at around. Police and para military forces are being deployed to quell the situation.