Cong candidate Dr Lamtinthang Haokip picked up, detained
INC supporters protest, impose flash bandh on NH-2
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, February 28 2022: Strogly protesting the detention of INC candidate in Saitu AC Dr Lamtinthang Haokip, supporters of INC candidate imposed a flash bandh along National Highway-2 today.

Genesis of the detention of the INC candidate can be traced back to the early hours of voting at about 9.30 am when a confrontation ensued between ICN and BJP supporters in Saitu AC .

Accusing the INC candidate and his supporters of destroying an EVM and other polling material, the BJP Manipur Pradesh complained to the Chief Electoral Officer to lodge an FIR and arrest INC candidate Dr Lamtinthang Haokip and his associates for destroying EVM and other equipment at booth number 46 of 51-Saitu AC.

Cong candidate Dr Lamtinthang Haokip picked up, detained

The BJP alleged that Dr Lamtinthang Haokip along with his associates broke the EVM and other polling equipment armed with deadly weapons after forcefully entering the polling area at 51/46 polling station.

The BJP Manipur Pradesh also alleged that polling officials have also been threatened and beaten up by the INC candidate and his associates.

However, the INC supporters alleged that BJP supporters indulged in malpractices at the polling station, and accordingly the INC polling agents reported the matter to the Presiding Officer who allegedly failed to initiate any action.

Moreover voter slips were not provided to the INC supporters as the village chief of New Keithelmanbi and BJP candidate supporters had already captured the voter's slips since last night, alleged the iNC supporters.

Soon after the INC candidate was rounded up and taken to Imphal police station.

To portest this, INC supporters have imposed a flash bandh along National Highway 2 .

The INC supporters were seen burning tyres and blocking the highway demanding the unconditional release of their candidate.

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

Speaking to reporters MPCC spokesperson Ningombam Bhupenda stated that Dr Lamtinthang Haokip's arrest is unfortunate and added that a written complaint had been submitted to the CEO, Manipur against the wrongful arrest.

Dr Lamtinthang Haokip's PA, M Kipgen, also spoke at the press conference and stated that the group had arrived at the polling station after receiving information that BJP workers were indulging in widespread malpractice.

Upon his arrival, Dr Lamtinthang Haokip was prohibited from entering the premises of the polling station by the security personnel and polling officials causing a stand off, he stated.

However, the next moment, an FIR was filed and Dr Lamtinthang Haokip was promptly arrested.

Rebina Pamei, Dr Lamtinthang Haokip's wife further informed that after his arrest, she went to meet her husband at Imphal PS.

But after keeping her waiting for 3 hours, she was granted permission to meet him for only 3 minutes and was further instructed to converse with her husband only in Meiteilon.

She made an appeal to the authorities concerned to release her husband at the earliest.

Dr Lamtinthang Haokip's Counsel Advocate Rabi Khan told media persons that they were not allowed to meet him and went on to add that this in itself is a violation of human rights granted by the Constitution.

In this regard, MPCC workers strongly decried the wrongful arrest of Dr Lamtinthang Haokip.

Another poll violence was also reported at 46/54 Leplen Polling Station in 46-Saikul AC where unknown miscreants entered the polling booth and destroyed the EVM and other equipment.

However, voting reportedly resumed after replacing the EVM and other 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, sounds of gunshots were heard at Charhajare Polling Station but it could not be ascertained who fired and the reason behind the firing.

Till 5 pm, the voting percentage of Kangpokpi stood at 82.19 as per CEO Manipur.

The final polling percentage will be known after the return of all the polling parties.

On the other hand, polling at the three Assembly Constituencies of Kangpokpi district wound up under tight security amid poll violence reported in 51-Saitu AC and 46-Saikul AC.

There is a possibility that repoll might be held at 51/46 New Keithelmanbi polling station.

Starting from 7 in the morning, people from the three Assembly Constituencies came out to exercise their franchise rights and sitting MLA of Kangpokpi AC, Nemcha Kipgen, BJP candidate cast her vote at 50/25 Tujang Polling Station at around 7.20 am.

A total of 17 candidates, eight in 46-Saikul AC, three in 50-Kangpokpi AC, and five in 51-Saitu AC are in the fray, and voting was held from 7 am till 4 pm.

46-Saikul AC has the highest number of candidates with eight contestants, namely, C Doungel (Independent), Ken Raikhan (Independent), Ch Ajang Khongsai (JD-U), Kimneo Haokip Hangshing (KPA), Lhingkim Haokip (INC), Seikholal Haokip (NPP), Yamthong Haokip (BJP), and Jamchinlen Lunkim (RPI-A).

Three candidates including INC candidate Kimneo Haokip Hangshing, INC candidate Lhingkim Haokip, and RPI-A candidate Jamchinlen Lunkim are first-timers.

In 50-Kangpokpi AC, three candidates including sitting MLA of the BJP Nemcha Kipgen, JD-U candidate Soshim Gurung, and INC candidate Ngamkhohen Kipgen are in the fray.

In 51-Saitu AC, five candidates including BJP's Ngamthang Haokip, Independent candidate Haokholet Kipgen, INC candidate Dr Lamtinthang Haokip, NPP candidate K Lhouvum, JD-U candidate L Johny Gangmei, and another Independent candidate Th Sanglou Maram are contesting.

There are 166 polling stations including 19 Pink Polling Stations in the three ACs of the district and there are altogether, 1,00,351 voters (49,631 male and 50720 female) eligible voters.

More than one thousand polling personnel including reserved polling personnel and around four thousand polling security personnel were dispatched for the 166 polling stations including 19 Pink Polling Stations in the district.

There are 56 polling stations in 46-Saikul AC including three Pink Polling Stations with a total of 28,825 voters in the AC.

In 50-Kangpokpi AC, there are 42 polling stations including ten Pink Polling Stations (the highest in the district) with a total of 27,545 voters.

In 51-Saitu AC, there are 68 polling stations including six Pink Polling Stations with a total of 43,981 voters including one transgender.

There are also 1,880 service voters compared to 1,019 in the previous 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly Election in 2017 .