Curfew was relaxed in Krishnai and Mornoi areas of

Goalpara from 6 am to 8 pm today even as the Army deployed since the panchayat poll day on February 12 was carrying out flag marches in sensitive areas of the district. Former Congress minister Ripun Bora sustained injuries when a rival party supporter hit him at a counting centre in Gohpur in central Assam's Sonitpur district. As Bora was congratulating his victorious party candidate at the counting centre in Chariduar College, the son of a losing candidate hit him causing injury on his forehead, sources said. The former education minister was rushed to a hospital and was later released after administering first aid. The assailant identified as Rupen Biswas, was apprehended by the police. An independent candidate allegedly committed suicide today after losing an election in Kamrup (Rural) district, police said. Mintu Das, who had contested from 114 Ganmou village panchayat in Sualkuchi, hanged himself in his house after losing the elections. Till 7 pm, the ruling Congress had either won or was leading in 173 seats of Zilla Parishad members across the state, followed by the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) in 49, Asom Gana Parishad in 16, BJP in 10, Ganashkati in five, and others in four. Commenting on the results so far, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said, "people have once again put their faith" in the ruling party. Regarding the AIUDF success in Dhubri and Barpeta and of the BJP in parts of upper Assam, Gogoi said: "In some areas, opposition parties may have gained some ground but what matters is the final tally." AGP president and former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta accused the ruling party of misusing government machinery and resorting to rigging.