INC candidate held for destroying EVM
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal/Kangpokpi, February 28 2022: INC candidate for Saitu AC in Kangpokpi district Dr Lamtinthang Haokip has been arrested by police on the charge of destroying EVM and VVPAT machine but his arrest evoked strong protest at many places along Imphal-Dimapur road.

The incident occurred at 51/46 New Keithelmanbi polling station of Saitu AC around 9.30am on Monday.

According to reports, some supporters of the BJP candidate in the same AC allegedly got hold of voters' slips since Sunday evening and acted at will inside the polling station during polling on Monday morning.

Angered by the alleged unruly conduct of the BJP candidate's supporters, some Congress workers tried to stop the polling and later destroyed EVM and VVPAT.

Voting at the polling station began from 7.40 am but stopped from 9.40am due to the destruction caused to EVM and VVPAT.

Presiding officer of the polling station lodged a complaint to Keithelmanbi police station mentioning that destruction of EVM and VVPAT was done by INC candidate Dr Lamtinthang and his associates.

Accordingly, a team of district police led by additional SP (Ops) Kallam arrested Dr Lamtinthang and one Jamkholet Haokip, 22 from the spot and both of them were slapped charges under IPC 353/425/34 and Section 132(3)/135(l)/136(F) of Representation of People's Act.

BJP Manipur Pradesh also immediately lodged a complaint to CEO Manipur for registering an FIR against Dr Lamtinthang and his associates for destroying EVM and other equipment.

The party also alleged that Dr Lamtinthang along with his associates forcefully entered the polling area and created a riot like situation by threatening and beating up polling officials.

However, the INC supporters alleged that malpractice on the part of BJP was witnessed at 51/46 the polling station.

Accordingly, INC polling agents reported the matter to the Presiding Officer who allegedly failed to initiate any action while voter slips were not provided to the INC supporters as village chief of New Keithelmanbi and BJP candidate's supporters had already captured voters' slips since Sunday night.

The report also said that Dr Lamtinthang is currently detained at Imphal police station.

Supporters of Dr Lamtinthang imposed a flash bandh along National Highway-2 .

INC supporters were seen burning tyres and blocking the highway at several places demanding unconditional release of the candidate.

Meanwhile, polling personnel along with security personnel deployed at 51/46 polling station arrived at DEO/DC office, Kangpokpi at about 2.40 pm without further conducting the poll and there is possibility of repoll at that particular polling station.

Another poll violence was also reported at 46/54 Leplen polling station in 46-Saikul AC where unknown miscreants suspected to be supporters of KPA candidate entered the polling booth and destroyed the EVM and other equipment.

However, voting was resumed after replacing the EVM and other necessary equipment.

At 51/2 Mayangkang polling station as well, EVM was reportedly damaged by unknown miscreants by pouring water over it.

But, voting was resumed after replacing the EVM.

Later in the afternoon, sound of gunshots was heard at Charhajare polling station but it could not be ascertained who fired and the reason behind the firing.

Till 5pm, poll percentage in Kangpokpi district stands at 82.19 as per CEO Manipur but the final poll percentage will be known after the return of all the polling parties.

The Kuki dominated three assembly constituencies in Kangpokpi district namely Saitu, Kangpokpi and Saikul went to the polls for the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly election 2022 on Monday in 166 polling stations across the district.

Comment