82 percent turnout in violence marred Manipur poll

Imphal: An estimated 82 per cent of the electorate turned out to vote in the Manipur assembly elections marred by militants’ violence that claimed five lives and left two injured. Chief electoral offficer P C Lawmkunga said that as per preliminary official reports, 82 per cent of the 17.40 lakh electorate cast votes, but details from the nine districts in the state were yet to be received. [caption id=“attachment_196623” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Voter lines - Reuters”] [/caption] Despite the high voter turnout however, the polling was marred by violence. Five people were killed and two injured when miliants attacked an polling station in an interior area in the Sugnu assembly constituency in Chandel district, official sources said. Lawmkunga also said a voter, his supporter and a security man were killed in an exchange of fire at the Dampi polling station in the same district. 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, official sources said. Meanwhile two CRPF personnel on poll duty were killed in an ambush by militants in Ukhrul district on Friday.