Block development officers and officials of the panchayat and rural development department of Karimganj district have demanded the immediate arrest of the goons who attacked South Karimganj BDO Amjad Hussain during the second phase of panchayat polls in Assam on Sunday.

Hussain, who was working as the Karimganj zonal magistrate in the election, told reporters on Tuesday that he went to the polling booth at Fatehpur lower primary school on Sunday after getting information that a group of 10-15 persons were trying to capture the booth. He saw that the miscreants had overpowered the polling officials and were casting votes. When he tried to get the goons out of the booth, they attacked him.

He managed to escape and took shelter in a nearby shop from where he informed deputy commissioner Pradip Kumar Talukdar of the scenario and urged him to send a police team to rescue him. Talukdar assured him of help but no police came, Hussain alleged.

By now the miscreants, who were armed with canes and sharp weapons, entered the shop and beat him up mercilessly.

His office staff, whom he had also informed, reached the spot soon after and admitted him to the civil hospital, Hussain said, adding that he has got stitches on his head and all over his body.

He alleged that nobody from the district administration has yet enquired about him. He fears that the goons might attack him again if they are allowed to go scot free.

A meeting held on Monday under the presidentship of Karimganj zila parishad chief executive officer Nabarun Bhattacharjee condemned the attack, demanded immediate arrest of the miscreants and adequate security for officials on election duty.

The meeting was attended by the project director of district rural development agency A.K. Brahma, the election officer-cum-BDO (in charge) of Badarpur block, Sudip Nath and all BDOs and employees of panchayat and rural development department of the district.