7 die in Manipur violence, over 80% vote-ToI-29.1.12

NSCN(IM) Militant Asks Officials To Stop Polling At A Booth, Fires At Them Upon Refusal

Oinam Sunil TNN 

Imphal/ Chandel: The Election Commission’s assurance of peaceful elections came a cropper on the first day of polling when seven people were killed including one CRPF jawan, four poll officials, and a minor girl, even as Manipur recorded a high of more than 80% voting on Saturday. 
    Violence broke out when a suspected NSCN(IM) militant tried to capture an electronic voting machine at Thampi polling station at Chakpikarong in Chandel constituency. He, too, was killed. 
    DGP R Baral said the militant entered the booth and asked officials to stop polling. When they refused, he fired at them. A few CRPF men rushed in and returned the fire, killing the rebel. “Six people died on spot. One injured person died of his injuries at an Imphal hospital,” said Baral. The police are investigating how the militant sneaked inside a polling booth with a gun. 
    It’s learnt that three Naga militants entered the booth posing as voters. While one began firing from a pistol and was killed, the other two escaped, said a source. Thampi presiding officer Ibotombi Singh was among those killed. The minor girl who was accompanying her relatives was identified as Nanliu (14). 
    The dead militant was identified as Benhenson Nulla. An identity card showing him as a teacher of a Dimapur school and a pistol were recovered from his body. 
    Meanwhile, an IED was recovered near a Congress worker’s house in Sagolband in Imphal West. 
    Election Commission officials said barring this incidence of violence and a few other stray clashes, polling was peaceful in the Imphal valley. Elaborate security arrangements were made to prevent militants from disrupting polls. The EC deployed an additional 350 companies of CRPF besides 25,000 state police personnel. Army and Assam Rifles jawans were deployed for area dominance exercises. 
    Chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh, who is eyeing a third term in office, was the first person to cast his vote at Thoubal Athokpam Primary School polling station in Khangabok constituency at 7am. His wife, Landhoni Devi, is seeking her re-election from the Khangabok seat. Ibobi is contesting from the neighbouring Thoubal. 
    The CM said he was confident of Congress getting an absolute majority. “We will get a minimum of 35 seats and it could go up to 45,” he said. On the 11 Naga-dominated seats, Ibobi said the Congress would win at least 50% of them. 
    Senior NCP leader Radhabinod Koijam, the CM candidate of the opposition alliance, People’s Democratic Front (PDF), said he was confident of NCP winning 12 to 15 seats. 
    “I am sure people will throw out Congress because of its misgovernance and corruption,” said Koijam, who is contesting from Thangmeiband, Imphal west.