Militants fire at polling station, 40 per cent polling

Imphal, Feb 23 (UNI) Unidentifed gunmen fired at a polling station in Tamenglong, some 150 kms from here, disrupting voting, even as 40 per cent voting reported in first five hours as Manipur's third and final phase elections for remaining 12 assembly segments began at 0700 hours today.

According to a preliminary estimate about 40 per cent polling was reported till 1200 hours.

Polling in other booths in three districts of Churachandpur, Tamenglong, Chandel districts and Jiribam sub divisions went on peacefully, state election office here said.

The polling would continue till 1530 hours.

Barring some stray incidents there were no major violence reported so far.

A report reaching here said suspected ultras fired indiscriminately disrupting polling at booth no 52/1 at Tamenglong district.

However, there was no immediate report of casualty in the firing.

Detail reports were awaited.

UNI