Imphal, May 31 2010: Houses of at least nine candidates were ransacked by supporters of boycott to the elections to Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council in Ukhrul where the polling is scheduled on June 2 next.

Meanwhile, a wooden bridge on Kangpokpi-Tamei road (IT road) located between Thonglan and Polen villages in Tamenglong district was set on fire by some boycott supporters at about 10.30 am today with a view to prevent polling personnel entering to Tamei sub-division.

Official reports said that at least nine houses ADC candidates in Ukhrul district have been damaged by the election boycott supporters.

Out of the ransacked houses eight belonged to Congress (INC) candidate among whom seven have been declared elected contested while one belonged to an independent.

The houses belonged to Wungpam, candidate of Ukhrul South ADC constituency, Lishishan of 17-Khangyang, R Peter of Ukhrul North ADC constituency, Ngashanchui of 5-Huining ADC constituency, Naokahao of Chingjaroi-II ADC constituency, Pameiyo of 18-Kamjong ADC constituency, RK Star of 07-Kachai, Ningtam Muinao of 3-Chingai ADC constituency and his rival independent candidate Somi.

All of them were candidates of the Congress and elected uncontested.

Police reports said that the house of candidate Wungpam at Phungreitang village of Ukhrul proper was ransacked by around six miscreants with deadly weapons like hammers this afternoon at about 3 pm.

The house was saved from totally ransacking when villagers rushed at the place and chased after them.

Likewise houses of the other candidates were also damaged in the ransacking by groups of miscreants suspected to the boycott supporters.

Police while confirming the reports of destructions in the houses of the candidates said that properties worth several lakhs of rupees have been destroyed in the incidents.

Unidentified miscreants stormed and dismantled the candidates' residence around simultaneously stormed.

The houses were badly destroyed, a report from the district said.

Polling is to be conducted in Ukhrul District in four Constituencies namely Chingai , Shangshak, Kasom Khullen and Shingkap on June 2, according to the election notification of the ADC .

It is pertinent to mention that the Tangkhul Naga Frontal Organisations (Against ADC Election 2010) while reaffirming the decision of the United Naga Council given stern warning to the candidates of ADCs in Ukhrul district to retire from the candidature rejecting the imposed Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Act, 3rd Amendment Act 2008 and conduct of elections under the Act.

They had also warned to kick out the candidates defying the diktat and seizing their properties.

Meanwhile, another report said that a bridge on the stretch of the IT Road, 17 km from Kangpokpi towards Tamei sub-division of Tamenglong district was set on fire by some miscreants today, at about 10.30 am apparently to thwart poll personnel heading to their respective assigned polling stations for the polling on June 2 .

The bridge is the only means to reach by the poll personnel to reach Tamei was totally damaged in the arson incident, the report said.

A delay report from Chandel district also said that some armed miscreants had set on fire an Activa brand scooter (MN01D-2029) parked in his house on the intervening night of May 27 and 28 last while attempting to set on a outhouse.

The house of ADC candidate S Mohring of Mantri Pantha, 3 km east of Chandel police station was attempted to attack apparently in connection with defy of the diktat of the United Naga Council, Manipur to retire from the candidature.

Meanwhile, government has suspended its planned to escort back freight trucks from Jiribam on the NH-53 based on the reports that blockade supporters are piling up boulders and wood logs at various places on the stretch at Nungba and Noney areas.

As many as 20 loaded trucks, six passenger buses stranded at Jiribam after they headed from Silchar of Assam this morning.

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