Allegations of Voter Intimidation by Assam Forest Officials in Karimganj Election

In a concerning turn of events, nine senior Assam forest department officials, including the Special Chief Secretary MK Yadava, have been accused of voter intimidation in Karimganj’s parliamentary constituency. According to local residents, these officials threatened voters with eviction if they did not vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Kripa Nath Mallah. The allegations, which surfaced after voting on Friday, are under scrutiny as residents claim officials forcibly entered homes and coerced them into voting for the BJP under the threat of using bulldozers for eviction after June 7.

The case has been brought to the Karimganj local court by advocates Abdul Kashim Talukdar and Momotaz Begam, representing a group from Cheragi and other affected villages. Residents described the officials’ aggressive actions, which included entering homes accompanied by armed forces, detaining people outside during searches, and making derogatory remarks. The complaint has implicated several officials, such as the Chief Conservator of Forests, Rajiv Kumar Das, and Divisional Forest Officers Akhil Dutta and Vijay Timbak Palve, who deny involvement or claim adherence to standard procedure.

The controversy has drawn reactions from various political figures, with local BJP leaders declining to comment, while Congress MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha emphasized the need for a humane approach if the allegations hold true. The case has heightened tensions in the area, with nearly 60% Muslim voters and a significant number of candidates vying for the seat. The court is expected to review the evidence soon, as advocates for the complainants assert they possess proof of the alleged intimidation.

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