Repolling at 34 polling stations in Manipur takes place under tight security

Imphal, Feb 4 (ANI): 34 polling stations spread across eleven constituencies in Manipur's five hill districts underwent fresh voting on Saturday after Election Commission countermanded the polling that took place on January 28.

All the polling stations that underwent re-poll had been declared hypersensitive after seven persons were killed at Tampi polling station after being attacked by NSCN-IM in support of their sponsored candidate.

Disturbance was also reported from the other 33 polling stations due to which polling was held again.

According to reports, Tampi polling station in Chandel District recorded a poll percentage of over 93 percent today. No reports of violence were reported, however unofficial reports said that some incident had taken place at Tupul polling station in Tamenglong District.

Re-polling in the said stations took place under three-tier security deployment.

Following reports from the Intelligence Bureau (IB) that NSCN- IM would attempt to secure maximum votes for the candidates sponsored by them, the State Government took up stringent measures to tighten security in all areas where re-poll were being conducted.

Earlier, the IB informed the State Government that NSCN-IM in spite of being under ceasefire pact with the Government of India, may resort to all kinds of arm twisting tactics to threaten voters and force them to vote in favour of candidates sponsored by them. They may even go to the extent of capturing booths.

The IB report came a few days after Union Home Minister P Chidambaram informed the media that the Government had received inputs of the involvement of the NSCN (IM) in the election in Manipur.

The Chief Electoral Officer of the state also echoed the same point.

Six companies of CPMF were deployed in and around the eight polling stations of Chandel District whereas, eight companies of CPMF were utilised in Senapati District, four companies in Tamenglong District and five in Churachandpur District.

A total of 28,076 voters were expected cast their votes in 34 polling stations spread across 11 Assembly segments during the re-poll.

As per the direction of the Chief Electoral Officer, security officers verified all the polling agents and all the voters frisked at the entrance to election booths.

One jawan stood guard at the entrance of each polling booth and oversaw the voting procedure. (ANI)