Imphal, September 25: With no candidates withdrawing nomination papers on the last day of withdrawal today the Konthoujam Assembly Constituency by-election would be contested by six candidates, including two independents.

It may be recalled that Congress nominee Dr S Budhichandra will contest the by-election as the ruling SPF�s common candidate with the Opposition alliance fielding K Ranbir of the MPP.

Both had contested the last assembly election from the same constituency.

Of the remaining four, Angom Manihar belongs to the MSCP, former Minister Heikrujam Thoithoi to the NCP while S Nabakumar and S Ibobi had to enter the fray as independents as reported intimation to the State unit of Indian National Congress failed to evoke positive response.

The election symbol of both the independent contestants have been allotted by the Returning Office today with Nabakumar get- ting �car� and Ibobi granted �book�.

Mention may be made that the Konthoujam AC fell vacant after Dr Meinya was elected as Lok Sabha MP.

Meinya had contested and won the last assembly election from the same seat on DRPP ticket.

General observer of the said by-election Gautam K Das along with Imphal West district SP today assessed the law and order situation and security arrangement at the assembly constituency going to polls on October 13.Konthoujam electorates numbering 23,080 would exercise franchise at 28 polling stations which have all been categorized as hyper sensitive and would be manned by 30 security personnel at each of the stations.

Following the by-election boycott call given by AFSPA agitation spearhead Apunba Lup, candidates are presently refraining from mass election campaign while there are reports of workers/supporters of respective candidates conducting camera meetings to win over the electorates.

In view of the by-election boycott, heavy security arrangements are being made and five company of the BSF have already been deployed at most vulnerable locations.

The security personnel have occupied most educational institutions within the Konthoujam AC and classes have been suspended till the election is over.

Meanwhile, flag hoisting ceremony was held at the Phoijing Awang residence of MSCP nominee A Manihar today.

The flag hoisting programme was witnessed by large number of party workers and leaders including MSCP�s working president RV Minthang, president M Hemanta (ex-MLA) and MLA Vivek Raj Wangkhem.

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