Militants on Friday triggered another blast in Manipur on the eve of the assembly polls, creating panic in the state with a string of bombings since polls were announced.
Militants on Friday triggered another blast in Manipur on the eve of the assembly polls, creating panic in the state with a string of bombings since polls were announced.
Suspected militants triggered a blast in the Manipur capital at 11.15 am at Thangmeiban Iikamdewan Leiki locality under Imphal West district. One person received minor injuries in the blast, police said adding the blast — an Improvised Explosive Device—took place at a house and was detonated by a remote device.
There are over 20 rebel armies active in Manipur, a state bordering Myanmar, with demands ranging from secession to greater autonomy.
A total of 279 candidates (including 14 females) are in the fray and their fate will be decided by 17,40,819 voters.
Congress has fielded candidates in all 60 seats followed by Trinamool Congress - 47, Manipur State Congress Party — 34, CPI — 24, NCP — 22, BJP — 19, Manipur Peoples Party — 14, Naga People’s Front — 12, JD (U) — 5, CPI (M) — 2 and Independent — 18.
In 2007 polls, Congress had won 30 seats and aligned with CPI (4) to form the Secular Progressive Front government.
This time, five parties including Manipur People’s Party, NCP, JD (U), RJD and CPI (M) have came together to form the People’s Democratic Front in a bid to throw up a challenge to Congress. In the run-up-to the polls, the Front clamoured for a change alleging that the ruling Congress failed on all fronts. Trinamool Congress, a new entrant in Manipur, is also banking on this plank, besides peace and development.
Nagaland’s ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF) has fielded 12 candidates in Naga-dominated hill districts. Its idea, primarily is to promote the contentious demand of a unified homeland for the Nagas scattered in Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh besides Nagaland.
The Congress is hoping to do a hat-trick by harping on its performances, especially its offer of a stable government in a state known for its history of political instability.
Serial blasts have created panic in the state, particularly in the capital, ahead of assembly polls scheduled for Saturday.
On Thursday, suspected militants triggered a blast in Imphal. The place where the blast took place is only 2 km from Kangla Fort, where the state’s official Republic Day function was celebrated. No one was injured in the blast.
On Wednesday night, militants exploded two powerful bombs in Kakwa area in Imphal West district. There was no casualty.
On Jan 22, militants triggered a powerful explosion outside the residence of the speaker of the outgoing assembly and Congress party candidate in election-bound Manipur. The blast killed one person and three others.
On Jan 6, a ruling Congress party election office came under a grenade attack although no one was injured.
A coordination committee of seven major militant groups of the state called CorCom have called for a ban on all election meetings and campaigning by the Congress candidates in the state. The militant groups had warned of dire consequences if their diktat was violated.
— With Agency inputs
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}