Violence mars 2nd phase polls, two killed
Voter turnout pegged at 76.62 pc
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 05 2022: At least two people were killed in the second phase of elections for 22 Assembly Constituencies held on Saturday as 76.62 per cent of the total 8,38,730 voters in the State exercised their franchise till 5 pm .

According to credible sources, one person was killed in police firing at Karong in Senapati district while a BJP activist succumbed to bullet injuries in Wangjing-Tentha AC.

Senapati
One person was reportedly killed and another injured as security forces deployed for election duty at the polling station of Ngamju village in Karong constituency opened fire, said sources.

The deceased has been identified as K Longvao, s/o T Kah while one V Saope, s/o S Vane sustained serious injuries.

They were immediately evacuated by chopper to Imphal for treatment, but one of them succumbed to injuries on the way.

Violence mars 2nd phase polls, two killed

The other person has been admitted to RIMS Hospital, Imphal.

The CEO, Manipur has condoled the demise.

The actual reason behind the incident is yet to be confirmed.

However, one official said that the police had to open fire at Karong after some people tried to snatch an EVM from a polling station after thrashing the polling staff.

Speaking to media persons, Senapati DC Mahesh Chaudhari stated that a magisterial enquiry will be initiated to ascertain the facts of the matter.

Violence also erupted in the Tobumai polling station under Mao constituency in the Senapati district, following a clash between suppor- ters of the Naga People's Front (NPF) and an independent candidate, continued the sources.

Thoubal
In a horrific pre-poll violence, a BJP activist died of abdominal bullet wounds in Wangjing-Tentha AC this morning.

The deceased has been identified as Leimapokpam Amuba (25), s/o Binoi of Wangjing Hodamba Maning Leikai and he was a supporter of BJP candidate in the Constituency, MLA Paonam Brojen.

Reportedly, he was attacked at Wangjing Wang- khei Leikai by unknown miscreants at around 12.20 am .

Shortly after the incident, he was admitted to Raj Medicity but succumbed to the injuries at around 6 am.

Speaking to media persons, one Moirangthem Bikash, a friend of the deceased, stated that the deceased along with some other persons stood guard at polling station no 34/10 at Wangjing Hodamba Maning Leikai to prevent poll violence .

Saying that they went towards the house of one Haobam Rajen on hearing a gunshot, he added that Amuba was hit by a bullet fired from inside the house of Rajen.

Amuba was first admitted to Thoubal District Hospital and from there, he was taken to Raj Medicity where he breathed his last at around 6 am.

Haobam Rajen, on the other hand, claimed that some miscreants suspected to be BJP activists vandalised properties including vehicles and shot several rounds today at around 12.10 am.

Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club today, he urged the authorities concerned to look into the incident at the earliest.

Claiming that the miscreants torched his garage where two cars were parked, apart from threatening to not take part in the polls, he alleged that the miscreants also shot several rounds.

Rajen went on to state that his family members are taking shelter elsewhere and added a complaint has also been lodged to police.

He continued that he joined the Congress party in 2019 .

Meanwhile, two houses were allegedly torched at Tentha Khongbal by miscreants suspected to be supporters of Congress candidate in Wangjing-Tentha AC at around 10.30 pm yesterday.

Reportedly, the houses were reduced to ashes by the miscreants as they lobbed numerous petrol bombs toward the houses.

The ill fated houses belonged to Naorem Milan and Naorem Tomal, s/o N Chaoba.

It is reported that Tomal is an active worker of BJP MLA P Brojen.

Families of N Tomal and N Milan, while condemning the attack, urged the authorities concerned to book all the assailants at the earliest.

As many as three people were hurt in poll related violence that happened between supporters of BJP and Congress in Wangkhem AC today.

The incident took place at 32/1 and 32/2 polling stations opened at Charangpat High School.

Speaking to media persons after casting his vote, Congress leader and former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh accused the BJP of resorting to different modes of violence to stay in power.

The former Chief Minister stated that the Congress, nonetheless, will win 9 out of 10 seats in Thoubal and Kakching districts.

Other than some minor instances such as proxy voting, banning of agents of certain political parties inside polling booths, voting in the two districts ended peacefully.