TURA: In the history of Garo Hills this is perhaps the first time that voters have failed to register their vote for an elected representative from some of the designated polling stations due to the threat of a gun or social boycott by student and social groups.
In four polling stations strewn across three districts of Garo Hills, none of the registered voters turned up to cast their vote.
Remote Rongsakgre polling station in South Garo Hills none of the 303 eligible voters came to cast their vote.
Similarly, in Pakregre polling station of Damas constituency in North Garo Hills a similar picture emerged with not a single voter from the several hundred eligible voters coming forward to cast their ballot.
Militancy also had its impact on the voting scenario across the Simsang river and Williamnagar town, into the badlands of the GNLA.
No vote was cast in Dorengkigre village, home of GNLA chief Sohan D Shira’s wife, and at Nengsang Adugre village where the village nokma happens to be the mother of GNLA action commander Hebil T Sangma who broke out of Tura district jail close to two years ago.
Both villages lie in the militancy affected belt of Durama Hills and has been a frequent area of conflict between security forces and the ultras.
Dorengkigre village was the same place where GNLA militants laid an ambush on police teams who were returning from an operation with the body of a slain ultra, a few weeks ago.
The only voter turnout was at Sam’an Indikken village where three voters out of 588 cast their ballot.
