Manipur Election 2017: Before second phase of polling begins, four Kuki militants nabbed by Assam Rifles

A troop of 25 Assam Rifles apprehended four Kuki National Front (P) militants at Churachandpur on early Sunday morning. The militants were nabbed at 5.30 am. Two AK-56 rifles, two pistols, four cell phones and 148 rounds were recovered during the counter-insurgency operation. The arrested were handed over to the Churachandpur police. [caption id=“attachment_3317934” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  The militants nabbed by the Assam Rifles. Amukhomba Ngangban[/caption] On Saturday, police heaved a sigh of relief as over 80 percent polling was recorded in the first phase of elections to the Manipur Assembly with no major law and order problem being reported from anywhere. It was widely feared that there could be violence, since there were minor clashes, bomb blasts, gun attacks and torching of at least four vehicles in the pre-election violence. The final phase of Assembly polls is scheduled to take place on 8 March. In January, as India was celebrating its 68th Republic Day, two blasts took place in Manipur in Imphal East and West district. According to PTI, the bombs were blasted simultaneously by suspected militants. There was no report of any casualty due to the blasts, police said, adding that only a brick wall was damaged. In December last year, three blasts took place within an hour in Imphal West district. In October, Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh escaped unhurt after suspected militants opened gunfire as he was getting out of his helicopter at the Ukhrul helipad. Ironically, the attack came only days after Ibobi claimed that the law and order situation in Manipur had improved dramatically.