The JAC representing the Rabha ethnic community has

resorted to widespread protests in Goalpara district opposing the holding of panchayat elections in the RHADC areas. They are seeking complete withdrawal of panchayat poll from villages within the RHADC and instead hold the Council polls before the Panchayat hustings. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has said that nobody can stop polling as it is a democratic process. He also announced that Rs five lakh will be paid to the next of kin of each killed in the firing. Funds would be released from the government for repair of schools destroyed in the poll violence, he said. Parliamentary Secretary(Home) Rana Goswami said in Guwahati that security measures were stepped up in the two districts, particularly in the violence-hit areas. "There is a conspiracy behind the violence", he said adding miscreants who were indulging in violence have been identified and stern action would be taken after polling is over. The other two phases of the panchayat polls on January 30 and February 6 had, however, passed off peacefully.