Guwahati: The Congress has written to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar raising serious allegations of voter intimidation and coercion in the ongoing electoral process in Assam’s Karimganj Lok Sabha constituency.
In a letter to the CEC, the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) highlights incidents involving BJP MLA and Forest Department officials in Karimganj Lok Sabha Constituency.
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The APCC’s letter, signed by Bipul Gogoi, general secretary (Org), details instances of intimidation tactics applied during election campaign meetings.
It accuses Bijoy Malakar, MLA representing Ratabari Assembly Constituency under Karimganj Lok Sabha Constituency, of openly threatening Muslim voters.
Malakar allegedly used loudspeakers and direct approaches to coerce Muslim voters into supporting BJP candidate Kripa Nath Mallah.
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The threats reportedly included the forced eviction of Muslim voters from their homes using heavy machinery if they did not comply.
The letter also mentioned incidents where Forest officials and Assam Police,allegedly visited villages under Ratabari Police Station, threatening residents with eviction if they did not vote for the BJP candidate.
The officials purportedly went door to door, photographing residents and warning them of dire consequences if they did not support the BJP.
Controversial IFS officer MK Yadava and eight other forest officials allegedly threatened people of religious minority community in Hailakandi district to either vote for the Karimganj BJP candidate or get ready for eviction with the help of bulldozers.
Among these officials are Silchar chief conservator of forests Rajiv Kumar Das, Hailakhandi forest division’s district forest officer Akhil Dutta, IFS officer and Cachar division DFO Vijay Timbak Palve, Cherangi range’s Ratabari deputy in-charge Monoj Sinha, Cherangi range forester Ajit Paul, Dullavcheera beat officer Faiz Ahmed Borbhuya, Cherangi forest guard Tapas Das, Cherangi beat officer Abdoon Nur, and Cherangi forest guard Faizuddin Laskar.
Following the alleged threatening, the residents of the Butukusi village in Hailakandi district have moved a local court against MK Yadava, who is currently posted as the special chief secretary (forest), and eight other forest officials.
The Assam Congress has also initiated legal action in response to these alleged violations.
An FIR has been filed against Bijoy Malakar under various sections of the IPC, and a complaint has been lodged before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Karimganj, against government officials involved in the intimidation tactics.
In light of these grave accusations, the APCC has urged the Election Commission to take swift and decisive action.
Their demands include legal action against Bijoy Malakar and the implicated government officials, the cancellation of Kripa Nath Mallah’s candidature in the Karimganj Lok Sabha Constituency, and any other necessary measures to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
The letter underscores the Congress party’s commitment to ensuring free and fair elections and calls for the Election Commission’s intervention to address the reported violations promptly.