Imphal, February 11: As many as 10 persons including women reportedly sustained injuries while many vehicles were damaged when clashes broke out between supporters of two candidates in Keirao AC at Thiyam Warok in Imphal East District at around 11.30 am today.

A private residential house located near the site of the clash also reportedly suffered some damage in the incident.

According to information culled from the site of the incident, clashes erupted following a heated argument between the supporters of MSCP candidate K Thamarjit and Janata Dal (S) candidate Thongram Tony.

The supporters of Thamarjit were taking out an election rally on their vehicles when the supporters of Tony allegedly tried to stop the rally.

Initially they started with stone pelting and later on they landed up with fisticuffs and smashing of the vehicles.

The escort parties of both the candidates reportedly resorted to blank firing in an effort to control the situation.

Later talking to media-persons in the evening at the Kiyamgei Mamang Leikai residence of Thamarjit, some of his workers claimed that at least 10 people including women suffered injuries and 14 vehicle, all Maruti vans damaged from their side in the incident.

They further said that today�s election rally was organised by supporters of Thamarjit from Urup-Arapti area.

The rally kicked off from Arapti Mayai Leikai and the clash broke out while the rallyists were coming toward Thiyam Khunou after a street corner meeting at Waithou Saijin Patlak Khongnang Makhong Lampak.

On the other hand, meira paibis staged protest demonstrations in and around Ucheckon area today protesting the firing and placing a bomb by unidentified persons at the Kongba Ucheckon Laikon residence of Independent candidate of Thongju AC Thokchom Ajit in the intervening nights of Feb 10 and Feb 11. However, there is no report of any injury in the firing which occurred at around 12.30 am.

The security escort of the candidate also retaliated.

The bomb, a hand grenade, was recovered only this morning.

The pin of the hand grenade was found removed and connected to a rope made from jute to be lit.

Fortunately, the bomb did not go off.

Police retrieved the bomb today and detonated it successfully.

Talking to the media in this connection, Ajit said there have been no instances of misunderstanding with any individual or organisations during all the years he have been working for the welfare of the people.

�After the firing incident at my residence on the day of scrutiny of the nomination papers, this was the second time that unidentified persons have been trying to attack me,� he informed.

�If any person is against me contesting the election, then they should derail the whole election process and not target me only�, he asserted.

�Election means opportunity for the people to elect representatives of their choice, not to scare away people with such acts of violence�, he explained.