Probe ordered into booth capturing allegations in Manipur

Manipur's chief electoral officer Thursday ordered a probe into the allegations of booth capturing and rigging in some polling booths during the election to Outer Manipur Lok Sabha constituency.

The northeastern state had recorded about 82 percent polling Wednesday and the polling remained largely peaceful in the troubled state, where several militant outfits are still active.

However, the Bharatiya Janata Party's state unit lodged a complaint with the CEO alleging that National Socialist Council of Nagaland-IM militants, who are in a ceasefire agreement with the

central government, captured 57 booths in Ukhrul, Chandel and Senapati districts and prevented people from voting.

"The BJP has alleged that the cadres of NSCN-IM and supporters have captured some polling booths yesterday (Wednesday). I have asked the deputy commissioners of the districts concerned to inquire the allegations and submit a report in this regard soon," said Manipur CEO O.

Nabakishore.

"We are going to wait for the reports from the deputy commissioners to reach here and then forward it to the Election Commission of India for a direction," he said.

"NSCN-IM members have captured as many as 57 booths and prevented people from exercising their democratic right. The state government's failure to ensure security for the polls seems to be a deliberate ploy by the government to neutralize BJP's popularity in the state," said

Gangmumei Kamei, the BJP's candidate for the Outer Manipur seat.

Altogether ten candidates are in the fray in the Outer Manipur seat. Besides the BJP candidate, the other candidates include sitting MP Thangso Baite of the Congress, Kim Gangte of the Trinamool Congress and Chungkhokai Doungel of the Nationalist Congress Party.

Voting for the Inner Manipur seat will take place on April 17.