Assam: 8 dead in police firing as mob attacks polling booth during panchayat elections

Guwahati: There was news of violence from lower Assam where panchayat polls were underway. Eight people died in police firing after a mob of 400 men and women from the Rabhas community armed with iron rods, axes, machetes and sticks attacked a polling station and indulged in arson. The death toll is likely to increase.

Reports say that the mob tried to resist poll officials from entering the booth. However, the exact cause of the violence is yet to be ascertained.

The Rabhas community has been opposing the panchayat polls. The Tarun Gogoi government has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured.

A mob of 400 men and women from the Rabhas community armed with iron rods, axes, machetes and sticks attacked a polling station and indulged in arson.

Trouble was also reported from Kamrup and Goalpara districts and a curfew has been imposed in the Krishnai area.

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