IMPHAL: Repolling is likely to be held in 33 poll stations of Manipur's hill districts where suspected NSCN (I-M) cadres indulged in massive booth rigging.A source said the state election office has recommended repoll at 9 booths of Ukhrul, 4 in Tamenglong, 8 in Senapati, 6 in Chandel and as many in Churachandpur. A letter has been sent to the Election Commission for approval, he added.
On the other hand, reports of poll-poll violence are pouring in from several parts of the state. Life came to a grinding halt in Thoubal on Monday owing to a dawn-to-dusk bandh called by the state unit of CPI to denounce the killing of a woman in police firing to control a mob at Tentha village in the district on Saturday night. Many people were also injured.
The victims were supporters of CPI candidate M Nara Singh who contested from Wangjing-Tentha constituency.
Bandh supporters damaged a large number of vehicles in several parts of the district. Owing to the strike, business establishments at the district headquarters remained closed.
On Sunday morning, NSCN (IM) cadres shot and injured a Congress worker in Chingai constituency of Ukhrul district after abducted him. The victim has been identified as H Chingnaoleng. Later, an irate mob torched the residence of Naga People's Front (NPF) candidate Paul Muinao at Ukhrul district headquarters, a source said.
Chingnaoleng, who sustained bullet wounds, is undergoing treatment at the state-run Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) here.
In the meantime, chief electoral officer PC Lawmkunga has announced Rs 10 lakh ex gratia for the four polling personnel, including a presiding officer, who were killed in a shootout at Tampi police station in Chandel district during Saturday's polls. Besides the quartet, one CRPF jawan, a girl and a suspected NSCN (IM) cadre also died when the rebels tried to capture a booth. (TNN)
