SHILLONG: Though the State government had issued a three-day ‘dry day’ notice effective from February 22 in view of February 24 district council election, but it did not have much impact as at least two poll personnel were caught in inebriated condition while discharging their duty. The presiding officer of Wahlyngkhat polling station under Lyngkyrdem-Laitkroh constituency Marshonton Marpna was suspended after he was found in inebriated condition. Returning officer Sanjay Goyal deputed another officer in place of Marpna, an assistant research officer, Directorate of Agriculture. “We would institute a departmental inquiry against him,” Commissioner and Secretary in charge District Council Affairs department Jopthiaw Lyngdoh said. In a similar incident, another presiding officer of a polling station in Mawklang village under Nongstoin constituency Tranly Kshiar was removed from duty after he was found in inebriated condition. Kshiar, an Assistant Engineer of Community and Rural Development Block, Nongstoin was immediately placed under suspension.
Drunk voter
In a separate case, police detained one person identified as Edwin Lyngdoh (25) for entering a polling station under the influence of liquor and trying to assault the presiding officer. Incident took place at 5th Mile, Upper Shillong.
On being asked to produce EPIC, he attempted to assault the Presiding Officer. IG Eastern Range A Sunn informed that Lyngdoh was allowed to cast his vote before he was arrested.
Electoral rolls destroyed
In another incident, in Raliang constituency, sitting Congress MDC, Newanly Lamare, who has to contest as an independent by being denied ticket by Congress, entered a polling station at Nongkynriah village and destroyed the electoral rolls. Sources said, Lamare wanted to forcefully cast all the remaining votes and with this intention he closed the doors of the polling booth. But when the polling agents raised objection to this he lost his temper and committed such irresponsible act.
Again in the evening, Lamare’s son allegedly attacked a supporter of an independent candidate with beer bottle.
The injured was taken to Laskein PHC for treatment. (With inputs from Our Jowai Correspondent)