Three persons have been arrested by the Manipur Police in connection with a firing incident at a primary school serving as a polling booth during phase 1 of the Lok Sabha Elections on Friday.
Manipur Lok Sabha Election 2024: Three suspects were arrested in connection with a firing incident at a polling booth in Imphal even as widespread violence, rioting, and incidents of booth capturing marred the first phase of Lok Sabha Elections in Manipur on Friday.
According to the police, three men identified as Leichombam Jemson Singh (34), Nongthombam Ratan (47) and Khumukcham Angamba (32), have been arrested in a connection with the firing incident at a primary school in Imphal which left at least one person injured.
“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,” the Manipur Police said in a post on X.
They said that live ammunition and three mobile phones from the possession of the accused.
“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 school, serving as a polling booth, was stormed by gunmen on Friday when voting was underway during the first phase of Lok Sabha polls.
Congress agent shot by gunmen
A PTI report, citing official sources, said an EVM machine was set on fire at the Moirangkampu Sajeb in Khurai constituency while a Congress booth agent was allegedly shot at by gunmen.
“An EVM machine was set ablaze at Moirangkampu Sajeb in Khurai constituency in Imphal East district and a 65-year-old man was also shot at by some unidentified gunmen. There has also been vandalism in at least one more polling station, in Uripok in Imphal West,” the PTI report quoted a source as saying.
Police said the victim, reportedly a Congress booth agent, was standing near a polling station when some armed assailants opened fire.
“He was rushed to a hospital in Imphal for treatment where his condition is stated to be stable,” a police official said.
Booth Level Officer for Moirangkampu Sajeb, Surbala Devi said, “Suddenly two men came and asked for polling agents of the Congress and the BJP. They took the Congress agent outside by holding his hand. Then the two men fired shots at him from inside the car.”
Reports said incidents of EVMs being destroyed were reported from at least four polling booths by unidentified miscreants in Imphal East and Imphal West.
(With inputs from agencies)