During the first phase of polling on April 19, incidents of intimidation and firing were reported from at least two places in Inner Manipur constituency.
At Thamnapokpi under Moirang constituency in Bishnupur district, armed men fired several rounds in the air near a polling booth prompting voters to flee, police said on Friday, adding that additional security personnel were rushed to the spot to contain the situation.
Unidentified armed men intimidated election agents of a particular political party at different places and asked them to leave the polling stations, they said.
One civilian was also injured after the firing and clashes were reported at a polling booth in Moirangkampu Sajeb Awang Leikai of Imphal.
Later, police arrested three persons in connection with the firing incident at a primary school in Manipur’s Imphal.
In a post on X, Manipur police said, “On 19.04.2024 Manipur Police arrested 3 (three) persons identified as i. Leichombam Jemson Singh (34 yrs), ii. Nongthombam Ratan (47 yrs) and iii. Khumukcham Angamba (32 yrs) in connection with a firing incident at Moirangkampu primary school in which one person was injured”.
“Further, from their possession the following items were recovered: i.1 (one) .32 pistol with 8 (eight) live ammunitions. ii.3 (three) mobile phones iii.1 (one) car iv.Rs. 1.5 Lakhs in cash” the police said.
Manipur Congress president K Meghachandra on Friday also lodged a complaint with Manipur Chief Electoral Officer demanding repoll in 36 polling stations in Inner Manipur constituency and 11 in Outer Manipur constituency.
(With input from agencies)