Assam rural polls a security challenge for Gogoi Govt

A deteriorating law and order situation and a sudden rise in the threat perception of candidates contesting in the ensuing panchayat elections have emerged as new areas of concern for the Congress-led Government in Assam. To add to that, the Centre has turned down a request by Dispur to send additional paramilitary personnel to the state to keep the situation under control during the elections.

The state Government on Saturday asked all candidates as well as leaders of all political parties to take extra precaution during campaigning, especially after sunset. A former BJP leader has been already killed at Rangiya in Kamrup, while Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) leader and legislator Padma Hazarika is still in a critical state after being attacked at Sootea in Sonitpur district on Thursday night.

Deputy commissioners and superintendents of police of several districts, while taking part in a meeting convened by Chief Secretary P C Sharma here on Saturday, sought more security forces for maintaining law and order during the panchayat elections. The elections will be held in three phases — December 31, January 4 and January 9.

Security concerns in some districts have suddenly gone up especially in view of threats issued by the All Adivasi National Liberation Army that has warned the Congress against campaigning in the Adivasi-inhabited areas for non-inclusion of the community in the Scheduled Tribe list.