2 killed in Manipur poll violence, 48 pc turnout till 2 PM

Mangalore Today News Network

Imphal, Jan 28, 2012 : Two persons, including a security man, were today killed and three polling personnel injured in an encounter with militants in Manipur, where the Assembly polls recorded a 48 per cent turnout till 2 PM.

 

Chief electoral officer P C Lawkunga said two persons were killed in an exchange of fire in interior Chandel district during polling. Three polling personnel were also injured.

He said 48 per cent of 17.40 lakh electorate cast their votes across nine districts - Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnnupur and Thoubal - in the valley and Churachandpur, Ukhrul, Senapati, Tamenglong and Chandel in the hills.

Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh cast his vote at a polling station in Khangabok in Thoubal district.

A total of 12,967 polling personnel were deployed at 2,357 polling stations.
Around 35,000 security personnel, including 27,000 belonging to central para military forces, were deployed besides the state armed policemen.

Bombs suspected to have been planted by militants were seized and defused before the start of polling in Khurai Chingangbam area, Sawombung High School, Khomidok in Imphal East district and Naoremthong High School area in Imphal West district, the sources said.

Two CRPF personnel on poll duty were killed in an ambush by militants in Ukhrul district yesterday, official sources said.

Altogether 279 candidates are in the fray for the 60 seats with the chief minister (Thoubal), Forest minister and senior Congress leader Th Debendra (Jiribam) and Congress nominee and Speaker I Hemochandra Singh (Shingjamei) being the key contenders.

 

Courtesy : Deccan Herald