CEO announces ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each for 4 officials killed in line of duty
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 29, 2012:
State Chief Electoral Officer PC Lawmkunga has announced ex-gratia of Rs ten lakhs each for the four polling personnel killed at Tampi Primary School polling station in Chandel AC yesterday.
Talking to The Sangai Express, Lawmkunga said that ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakhs each would be given to the next of kin of Presiding Officer Kh Ibotombi, polling officer Ksh Premjit, polling officer G Adum Rongmei and Polling Peon PS Rakesh.
He informed that the ex-gratia amount for Ibotombi was handed over to his family today.
Quoting police reports, the CEO said that three persons came inside Tampi polling station from outside the queue at about half past noon yesterday.
They disturbed the polling process, resulting in a brief altercation with some voters.
The next moment, one of them drew out a gun and shot at peon PS Rakesh resulting in a shoot-out with CRPF personnel posted there.
Saying that the voting percentage would be around 80 per cent, the CEO informed that not all polling parties have reached their headquarters till today even as many polling officials have returned and EVMs brought to their respective district headquarters using two MI-17 helicopters.
Commenting on the variance on poll percentage between valley districts and hill districts, PC Lawmkunga opined that the variance may be due to introduction of the new system of taking photographs of each and every voter.
He informed that out of 2365 polling stations where polling was held yesterday, polling personnel and EVMs for 2350 polling stations have reached their respective district headquarters.
EVMs for nine polling stations of Churachandpur district and six polling stations of Tamenglong district would be ferried from Longpi and Jiribam by helicopter tomorrow.
As of now, there is no question of holding re-poll in any of the valley districts but re-poll would be held in some polling stations of Ukhrul, Chandel, Churachandpur and Tamenglong districts, informed the CEO.
On the other hand, non-Congress candidates have appealed against the Government's decision to withdraw security escorts from them.