UKL/IMP, Mar 7: Two Assam Rifles jawan were injured when unidentified persons triggered two powerful IEDs on Tuesday almost simultaneously at two separate places in poll-bound Kamjong district (carved out of Ukhrul district).
According to police sources, the first attack occurred around 3.15 pm at a place located about 3 kms from Aishi village under Kamjong police station. An IED exploded there reportedly targeting an Assam Rifles team on ROP duty, injuring one jawan, the sources said.
Rifleman R Vasnet belonging to the ‘D’ Coy sustained injuries, the sources informed.
The second attack took place around 4 pm near a polling station located at Ashang Khullen under Kamjong police station. The sources said they learnt that another jawan was reportedly injured in the second explosion.
Ukhrul is voting in the second and final round of the two-phase Manipur Assembly elections tomorrow, March 8. Around 280 companies of Central paramilitary forces are deployed for Manipur elections.
Meanwhile, a press release of the IGAR(South) said that “due to the alertness” of the Assam Rifles units deployed under HQs 10 Sector Assam Rifles in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts, two major tragedies were averted on March 7, “wherein the underground groups were planning to target the polling officials and disrupt the election process.
“In two separate cowardly incidents, the UG groups had planted IEDs near the polling booths at Aishi and Asang Khullen”, the PRO of IGAR (S) claimed.
Altogether 98 candidates including four women are vying for 22 Assembly seats which would be going to polls tomorrow.
Of the 22 Assembly segments, 10 are located in Thoubal and Kakching districts, one in Jiribam, three in Senapati district, three in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts, three in Tamenglong and Noney districts and two in Chandel and Tengnoupal districts.
Both BJP and Congress are fielding 22 candidates each in the second phase while NPF is fielding 11 candidates.
Altogether 3,81,381 male voters, 3,93,091 female voters, 3738 male service voters and 1159 female service voters may exercise their right to adult franchise at 1151 polling stations tomorrow between 7 am and 3 pm.
Meanwhile Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) VK Dewangan informed that army and Assam Rifles are used for area domination in connection with tomorrow’s second phase poll.
Claiming that adequate security measures have been put in place, the CEO conceded that bad transport infrastructure is still a challenge.
Nonetheless, one helicopter has been arranged to airlift 105 EVMs from 10 places and also to cater to emergency situations. Informing that the election is being held on the theme ‘every vote counts’, the CEO appealed to all the people to come out and exercise their right to adult franchise.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary O Nabakishore presided a high level meeting this afternoon in connection with the second phase poll. DGP, Additional Chief Secretary (Home), GOC 57 Mountain Division, CRPF Additional Director General, CRPF IG, BSF DIG, police nodal officer, CEO and Additional CEO attended the meeting.
During the army and Assam Rifles assured full cooperation to Central paramilitary forces. They also assured cooperation to other Central forces and State forces.
The meeting decided to provide foolproof security at the 10 additional scrutiny centres which would be opened at Chandel, Ukhrul, Senapati and Tamenglong.
It was further decided that the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) and officials of different security agencies would mount aerial surveillance of the polling process using helicopters.
Source: The Sangai Express
