Campaign in full swing ; crime on rise in Manipur

Imphal, Jan 29 (UNI) Electioneering for the ninth Assembly poll in Manipur is picking up and so are election-related crimes.

Election would be held in three phases on February 8, 14 and 23 next.

Police said one death in election-related incident had been reported so far.

One Y Gopen of Lamsang was shot dead by the People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) ultras and a house of a relative of a candidate was burnt on January 26 at Leimapokpam of Bishenpur district.

The Joint Action Committee, formed against the killing of Gopen, said it was wrong for the PREPAK to kill him and demanded action against those involved.

The JAC would start a stir if actions were not taken on the matter by the government, it said.

Several organisations had asked the PREPAK to clarify the reason behind the killing one M Bharatngamba of Imphal on January seven last by suspected PREPAK cadres.

Meanwhile political parties were fanning out to the nook and carner of the state to woo the electorate.

Congress leaders like Mani Shankar Aiyar and B K Handique were campaigning in the state.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and party president Sonia Gandhi are also likely to campaign in the state.

Secretary Bopana said the Congress had fielded candidates in all the 60 Assembly constituencies and was expecting absolute majority.

Congress observers and Central leaders will be stationed in the state until the elections were over.

UNI