Pre-Election Violence Erupts in Nagaon District Ahead of Assembly Polls
Escalating Tensions in Nagaon District
Vandalised BJP Election Office at Kathpara, Samaguri (Photo: AT)
Raha, April 4: Tensions have risen in various areas of Nagaon district as the Assembly elections approach, following several incidents of alleged pre-poll violence, including vandalism and arson in the Samaguri Legislative Assembly Constituency (LAC).
In Kathpara, a BJP election office was reportedly vandalised, with campaign materials and banners damaged. Supporters of BJP candidate Anil Saikia have accused Congress workers of being responsible for the attack.
The Ambagan police have commenced an investigation into the matter.
A local BJP member stated that the vandalism was a result of a dispute that occurred earlier in the week.
“We had a party meeting here two days ago and played music briefly afterward. A police official asked us to stop and even suggested we take down the office. We complied, but the next day, Congress workers held a program with music near the same official’s residence,” he claimed.
“This morning, we discovered our office had been vandalised. We suspect their involvement and request the police to conduct a thorough investigation.”
In another incident late Friday night, a BJP campaign office in the Geruamukh area was allegedly set ablaze by unidentified individuals.
This office, which had been established just four days prior, suffered partial destruction, with campaign materials and banners burned. Police from Khatowal station responded promptly and began an investigation, but no arrests had been reported at the time of this writing.
In contrast, Congress supporters have also made counter-claims, alleging that three of their election offices were set on fire in the Gerua area of Samaguri, along with a broiler chicken shop.
“We had erected Congress flags at Gerua Tiniali about a week ago, but by night, miscreants had removed and destroyed them. Around 4 am, our party offices in three locations were set ablaze,” a local resident reported.
Another resident expressed concerns about the intimidation of party workers and the lack of action from authorities.
“At around 4:10 am, we learned that two Congress campaign offices had been burned along with their banners and posters. Our workers are facing threats, and when we approach the police, no action is taken. We call on the Election Commission and administration to step in,” he urged.
Pre-election violence was also reported in Sipajhar, where two BJP supporters were allegedly attacked by Congress workers during a campaign event for Congress candidate Binanda Kumar Saikia.
Sources indicate that the incident occurred when BJP supporter Tapeshwar Deka was reportedly assaulted. Another individual, Narayan Deka, was also attacked while trying to intervene.
“A person named Dhan Deka got off his bike and began hitting me. I am not directly affiliated with any party, but I support the BJP,” Tapeshwar Deka stated.
An eyewitness reported that the assault was executed by a group.
“A mob surrounded him and beat him severely. He lost several teeth and sustained chest injuries. We called for an ambulance, and he was taken to Sipajhar Hospital,” the witness recounted.
Authorities have initiated investigations into all reported incidents, as tensions continue to rise in these constituencies ahead of the elections.