Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 02 2010:
All four Autonomous District Council constituencies in Ukhrul district that went to the polls today witnessed near zero turn-out, reports our correspondent.
Tension continues to run high at Ukhrul town, as police had to resort to blank firing and fire tear gas shells as a large number of women folk and bandh volunteers marched towards the office of the SP today evening at about 8.30 .
In the scuffle that followed between the women folk and the IRB personel, one AK rifle was reportedly seized by the women.
The office of the District Council in Ukhrul has also been set on fire today late in the evening.
As per the latest report received here at 10.30 pm three vehicles of the DC, who rushed to the office of the SP, to take stock of the situation were torched by the mob, numbering thousands, reports our correspondent.
The burnt vehicles included two Maruti Gypsys and one Bolero.
More than ten persons have been injured in police action so far.
The women folk and the bandh supporters gathered and proceeded towards the SP office in retaliation to the alleged beating and harassment of bandh supporters by IRB personnel.
On the other hand while no one turned up at the polling stations in Shangshak, Chingai and Shingkap constituencies proxy voting has been reported from Leihaoram and Etham polling stations of Kasom Khullen constituency.
Out of a total of 24 constituencies in the district, 20 seats had already been won without contest.
Moreover, repolling is likely at Huishu polling station of Kasom khullen is likely as damage of ballot box has been reported.
When official concerned was contacted, information was conveyed that 'zero voting' was the norm rather than an exception at all the polling station of Shangshak, Chingai and Shingkap ADCs.
The second phase ADC polling was held today amid 72 hours total Ukhrul bandh called by the Tangkhul Coordination Committee un der the aegis of UNC.
Meanwhile, suspected bandh supporters barricaded the road in between Ukhrul and Imphal by felling trees and huge boulders at various sections of NH-150 including at Shirui and Lunghar villages.