Poll violence kills 2 in Assam

In the first incident of poll-related violence on the eve of tomorrow's second phase of polling in Assam, two persons have been killed in Kokrajhar district.

Two supporters of minority-dominated All India United Democratic Front Giasuddin Sheikh and Joyamuddin Sheikh were killed as they were hit by missiles from a rampaging mob after AIUDF President Badaruddin Ajmal failed to address a scheduled election rally, the police said.

Ajmal could not arrive as his helicopter failed to land due to a technical snag. Kokrajhar district is the headquarters of Bodoland Territorial Council, run by the Bodoland People's Party, an ally of the ruling Congress which is pitted against the minority population where the AIUDF has base.

Superintendent of police P K Dutta said security has been tightened and the entire area has been brought under security cover. Dutta said while the district administration held talks with the Sarphang district authorities of Bhutan for cooperation in maintaining law and order, prohibitory orders under section 144 code of criminal procedure have been clamped in the area.