The convoy of a central election observer came under indiscriminate fire from tribal militants in the insurgency-hit North Cachar Hill district of Assam on Wednesday.
Police sources say that Central Election Observer Arun Chandra Singh, an Indian Administrative Service officer, and his team of escorts were travelling in a five-vehicle convoy from district headquarter Haflong to Umranghu in the hill district when militants in a forest opened fire.
The observer was travelling in the fourth vehicle while the third vehicle came under heavy fire by militants. The police personnel escorting the poll officials opened fire in retaliation. Police suspect the Black Widow or Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel Garlosa faction) outfit behind the attack.
A senior police official said no one was injured in the incident as the militants were firing from a distance. The incident occurred near Gunjum area at around 9-30 am on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, with the arrival of additional companies of forces for election duty in Assam, police have augmented personal security cover of candidates and officials. As many as 75 companies of paramilitary forces are being sent to Assam exclusively for election-related duty.
Each election candidate from any national party or recognised regional parties has been provided with two police officers and four armed escorts while other candidates are provided with two armed guards each. Out of the total 18,829 polling stations in Assam, 2,975 are marked as very sensitive, 6,635 sensitive and 440 hypersensitive.
