A flying squad team of the election department, tasked with ensuring adherence to election regulations, fell victim to an attack by unidentified assailants in Tikrikilla.
The incident, which resulted in injuries to the flying squad magistrate, marks the first instance of violence during the campaign period for the Tura Lok Sabha seat.
The attack occurred on Monday night, following the conclusion of a TMC election campaign event featuring Zenith Sangma. Despite the rally concluding without incident and attendees dispersing, the flying squad team remained in the area to carry out their monitoring duties. It was during this time, between 9:30 to 10 PM, that the assailants struck.
Flying squad magistrate Adinson Ch Momin, who sustained injuries to his face during the attack, recounted the harrowing experience. According to Momin, approximately five men emerged from the darkness and launched the assault without provocation. The attackers allegedly indicated that they had been lying in wait for the team, although they provided no motive for their actions.
The flying squad team, comprising Momin, his camera man, and a police constable, found themselves targeted in what appears to be a premeditated attack. Momin promptly reported the incident to the police at Tikrikilla station, detailing the intoxicated state of the assailants and their hasty retreat upon the arrival of the police constable.
In his report, Momin emphasized that the attack was not a result of any confrontation between rival political factions, stating that it had “nothing to do with the political parties.” This assertion suggests that the assault was a targeted act of violence against the election monitoring team, rather than a manifestation of broader political tensions in the region.