Imphal:
Multiple incidents of clashes and attacks were reported in different places of Imphal East, Imphal West and Kangpokpi districts during the first phase of assembly elections in poll-bound Manipur, on February 28.
Election officials said that a Manipur police Havildar Naorem Ibochouba Singh died due to suspected accidental firing from his service weapon in Kakching District.
In New Keithelmanbi polling station under Saitu assembly constituency in Kangpokpi district, the Congress accused the BJP supporters of staging a booth capture.
According to sources, “Some polling booths are captured by other parties, and they seized the voters’ slips of Indian National Congress supporters and denying them their right to vote.”
The clash began when the voters were not allowed to enter the polling booth of New Keithelmanbi by the alleged BJP goons and the presiding officer, sources said.
Sources also claimed that Indian Congress candidate Dr Lamtinthang Haokip wanted to settle the matter with the Presiding Officer when the agitated mob followed him and began destroying the EVM.
Following the violence, polling was suspended at one of the polling booths in Saitu. The security personnel had to resort to firing in the air to man the situation and also arrested Haokip in the process.
Displeased with the arrest of Haokip, the Congress supporters were up in arms against the unfair measures and met the police forces. The supporters later called an indefinite bandh of AH-2 and protests were held in different parts of the constituency demanding the unconditional release of Haokip without further delay.
On the other hand, it has also been reported that Congress workers allegedly damaged a polling booth in Kakwa area in Langthabal constituency in Imphal West district, while a vehicle of a National People’s Party (NPP) candidate was damaged by workers of the rival group in Keirao seat, though none were injured in the incident.
Congress and BJP candidates and leaders made allegations and counter allegations of intimidation, vandalisation of party election booths and resorting to violence. The officials said that there was an incident of firing at Phunal Maring Polling Station. However, details of the incident are still awaited.