Imphal Apr 19: The first phase of the election in Manipur for two Parliamentary constituencies concluded at 4 PM on Friday with reports of firing, EVM snatching, and violence.

A person sustained bullet wounds at Moirang Kampu, Imphal East when unidentified persons resorted to firing. At Thamnapokpi, Moirang some unidentified persons fired near the polling station which caused conflict and chaos.

At 5 / 31 polling station, Thongju some persons destroyed the EVM alleging forcible casting of vote for a particular candidate by some armed persons. At Iroishemba 10/7 a mob destroyed the EVM after armed persons allegedly asked the Congress poll agents to go out from the polling station.

Voting began at 7 AM with Chief Minister N Biren Singh casting his vote at 2/16 Srivan Higher Secondary School Polling Station, Luwangshangbam Mamang Leikai polling station. Former Chief Minister O Ibobi cast his vote at Thoubal. All the candidates also exercised their franchise at their polling stations.

People started coming out as voting began at 7 AM and by 9 AM the turnout was 13.82 percent in Inner Manipur and 11.57 percent in Outer Manipur.

The poll percentage by 11 AM was 29.61 Percent. The percentage was 31.62 percent in Inner Manipur and 26.02 percent in Outer Manipur which by 1 PM was 49.44 percent and 41.49 percent respectively. Poll percentage gradually increased to 67.71 percent in the Inner and 54.63 in the Outer.

Congress candidate for Inner Manipur Akoijam Bimol had a face-off with senior police personnel as Congress agents inside the polling stations were allegedly asked to leave the polling stations.

Bimol questioned the role of police and security personnel for not taking action when Congress agents were forced out of various polling stations.

Congress working President Devabrata said the threat to Congress workers and polling agents was unfortunate and demanded appropriate action.

UNI