Death Toll Reaches 20 In Northeastern India Election Violence

Death toll reaches 20 in northeastern India election violence < br />

2013-02-14 10:43:16 GMT+7 (ICT)

GOALPARA, INDIA (BNO NEWS) -- The death toll in India's election violence reached 20 in the northeastern region of the country, local authorities said Wednesday.

Violent clashes broke out in the Goalpara district of India's Assam state, where the Rabha Hajong tribe has been opposing the local elections and clashing with members of other communities. Protesters armed with machetes and spears reportedly set scores of polling stations on fire, injuring a number of officials supervising the voting.

According to local media, thirteen people were killed by police gunfire, while six others were killed in clashes, NDTV reported. Local police said they were forced to open fire as members of the Rabha Hajong tribe were setting villages on fire and attacking government officials.

As district authorities report roughly 60 percent of voting in the final phase of the panchayat elections, the Rabha tribe has opposed the process, rejecting government control, and arguing that voted councils will weaken its tribal authority.

Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi issued a curfew in a number of localities, as investigations into the incidents were launched.

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