70-75 pc turnout in Manipur amid sporadic violence

Imphal , April 16 About 70 to 75 per cent of 9.02 lakh voters today cast votes in the first phase Lok Sabha polls marred by kidnapping of two presiding officers, clashes between supporters of candidates and snatching of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) in Outer Manipur constituency.

Election office sources said two presiding officers posted at polling stations-- Koide (A) and Koide (B)--under Tadubi police station in Senapati district were kidnapped by armed militants.

Voting was stopped at a polling station at Tamenglong district headquarters following quarrel between a presiding officer and election agents of the candidates at around 9 am.

Sources said suspected Naga militants snatched four EVMs from Phuba polling station under Mao police station in Senapati district, nine EVMs from Tengnoupal polling station in Chandel district while one EVM machine was destroyed following quarrel between supporters of BJP candidate Loli Adanee and People&aposs Democratic Alliance nominee Mani Cheranamei at Karong Junior High School at Kathikhong in Senapati district.