ULFA violence continues, 8 AGP workers killed

GUWAHATI, MAY 4. Suspected ULFA insurgents killed eight AGP workers in Assam's Nalbari district as authorities today deployed more companies of security personnel in the sensitive areas ahead of the May 10 Assembly polls. A group of ULFA militants stormed the AGP office at Bogorihatigaon in Dharmapur, the constituency of the State Agriculture Minister, Mr. Chandramohan Patowary, and opened fire.

Three workers were killed on the spot and another died on way to hospital, police said. Four workers succumbed later. In another incident, 17 AGP workers were injured in a grenade attack by the ULFA at a party poll office in Goalpara.

The ULFA has so far killed 29 people in poll-related violence, including the BJP's Dibrugarh candidate, Jayanta Dutta, and injured more than 50 people, including Barpeta's AGP candidate, Mr. Kumar Dipak Das.

Mahanta blames EC

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister, Mr. Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, termed the Election Commission's decision to hold a one-day poll in the State a ``disaster'' . ``The people of Assam are aware that my Government has repeatedly stressed the need for holding the elections in the State in three phases, but unfortunately the E.C. in its supreme arrogance, mistrust of the Government's stand and lack of foresight decided to hold elections on a single day.''

He said the Commission's restrictions had come in the way of maintaining law the order in the run-up to the election and held it responsible for the pre-poll violence.

10 injured in Haldia

In West Bengal, at least 10 persons, including a Tinamool Congress candidate, were injured when a clash broke out between Trinamool and CPI(M) supporters at Brajalal Chowk in Medinipur's Haldia sub-division. Police said the Students Federation of India, on behalf of the CPI(M), filed an FIR alleging that TC supporters thrashed three of their supporters and broke their three-wheeler while they were campaigning for the CPI(M) candidate, Mr. Nityananda Bera.

However, Mr. Tushar Mondal, sitting MLA and TC candidate for Sutahata SC constituency, alleged that while he was addressing an election meeting some CPI(M) workers hurled stones and injured him and six of his party workers.

- PTI, UNI

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