PALIN, Apr 28: The Indian National Congress (INC) candidate for the Palin assembly constituency in Kra Daadi district, Takam Pario, has submitted a petition to the returning officer (RO), urging him to recommend re-poll at the Rakso polling station, alleging that “hired goons of the JD (U)” indulged in violence, voter intimidation and booth capturing there.
In his petition, which was submitted on 27 April, Pario alleged that JD (U) supporters, “armed with lethal weapons and unlicensed firearms,” not only stopped more than 150 registered voters at the entry point in 1 Kilometre area from entering the polling booth but also assaulted them, including women and children.
Pario said the electors, who had been stopped on the evening of 26 April, were never allowed to reach the polling booth.
“The entire main approach road from Lumba to Rakso was sealed by JD (U) workers,” he alleged. “We were assaulted, warned and intimidated.”
The INC candidate stated that despite promises, the RO could not provide any security arrangement for the voters in order for them to reach the polling booth.
“We waited till this morning, but you could not provide security to the voters to reach the destination,” Pario alleged.
“By the time you and the DIG tried to visit and reach Rakso polling station, the booths had already been captured. The administration totally failed to protect the voters, giving a free hand to JD (U) workers to capture the booth,” alleged Pario, terming it “murder of democracy.”
Pario also alleged that the INC’s polling agents were stopped from reaching the polling station, and were threatened with dire consequences, adding that even his car was stoned, and that petrol was poured on it “with the intention to kill me.”
“Thereafter, I returned to my own village, leaving the registered Congress voters in the middle of the road between Rakso and Lumba RWD road,” he said.
