Tura, April 12: The Garo National Council (GNC) MDC from Silkigre who is seeking re-election was given a sound thrashing by villagers of remote Emangre village in Chokpot when he went to the place and allegedly tried to bribe them with hard currency to vote in his favour on Sunday night.

The incident took place between 6-7 PM when GNC MDC Augustine R Marak arrived on the scene with a group of his loyal supporters driving in on a suave and expensive Mahindra Scorpio into the village.

A former deputy Chief Executive Member (CEM) in the GHADC cabinet of Dipul R Marak, Augustine and his supporters are said to have faced opposition from the villagers who questioned his arrival during the end of campaigning.

According to reports available, his supporters tried to flex their muscles when the villagers opposed his visit and this led to a heated argument which soon turned into a fistfight with both sides attacking.

In the melee, the overwhelming village crowd got the better of Augustine Marak and his supporters who soon received a trashing forcing them to flee in all directions.

The Silkigre MDC had to seek shelter inside a polling station to escape the anger of the villagers and thanks to a quick reaction from Chokpot police that arrived on the scene that he was taken into safe custody.

He and his injured supporters were taken to Chokpot hospital for medical care and later released as neither side was willing to frame charges.

This is probably the first instance ever of a sitting MDC being beaten up by the public for trying to bribe voters during an MDC election in the Garo Hills. The incident also displays the impact of the polls and the seriousness of politicians to try and make a break at the polls.