JORHAT, March 29 � Expressing concern over the alleged distribution of illicit liquor during the poll campaigns in several tea garden areas under the Jorhat Lok Sabha Constituency, many student organisations here have demanded that the Election Commission should intensify operations in those areas so that no voter can be influenced by any party for political gains in the ensuing Parliamentary elections.
�Voters of about 250 tea gardens play a decisive role in the Jorhat HPC. The free distribution of illicit liquor continues unabated in several gardens,� alleged AATSA leader Dhiraj Gowala. He requested the officials concerned to intensify operations in the gardens in the interest of free and fair polls for the Lok Sabha seat. According to him, no political party has been able to convince the voters as to how it will be able to solve the problems regarding the poor infrastructure and lack of basic facilities in the tea gardens of both Jorhat and Sivasagar districts.
Stressing the need of intensified operations against the distribution of illicit liquor in many rural areas in the pre-poll period, the district unit of the AJYCP also said that the democratic exercise would be successful in the true sense if the Election Commission officials checked such unhealthy practices in tea gardens and villages. �Free distribution of liquor takes place not only in the tea gardens, but also other rural areas to influence voters. If the officials concerned do not stop the distribution of illicit liquor, the entire election process will be futile,� said the AJYCP�s Jorhat district president, Siba Kalita here. He said that voters should cast conscience votes in favour of such a candidate who can win their confidence through a concrete strategy to resolve the problems of the constituency as well as the State.
