As rain eases, cloud lifts on CM

Heavy rain and bad road conditions made for a dreary beginning to the first phase of the Manipur Legislative Assembly elections...

Heavy rain and bad road conditions made for a dreary beginning to the first phase of the Manipur Legislative Assembly elections, which got underway on Thursday in the three districts of Thoubal, Senapati and Ukhrul. But as the weather improved, almost 72 per cent of the electorate turned out to cast their vote.

The weather swing also showed on CM Okram Ibobi Singh. A little before 7 am, his countenance was almost as dark as the clouds that have covered the state since a week now as he peevishly refused bytes to TV crews at his home polling station in Athokpam. This was while the voters trickled in in ones and twos.

But by mid-morning, as the rain reduced to a drizzle, Ibobi Singh8217;s mood visibly improved and he could be seen whizzing through Khangabok, the constituency that voted for him five years ago, and Thoubal from where is he also contesting. After casting his vote along with his wife at Athokpam, the CM made a round of the key polling stations, including the key Muslim pocket of Sangaiyumpham. 8220;Bad weather had kept people away in the morning, but now they are coming out. Even if 70 per cent cast their vote, it should be okay,8221; he smiled.

Almost 150 companies of security forces were deployed in the three districts, with Thoubal alone accounting for 78 of them. However, Ibobi8217;s opponent from the Manipur People8217;s Party, L Jatra Singh, who was also touring the constituency, claimed the state police were slowing things down on the road.

In Ukhrul, NSCN I-M cadres had attacked an Assam Rifles party yesterday in which one jawan was injured, but district SP LD Lhato said polling day passed without any violence by militants. According to senior Assam Rifles sources, however, NSCN I-M cadres were seen carrying arms and congregating in large numbers, both of which are violations of ceasefire ground rules. 8220;We herded them back to their area,8221; they said.

In Senapati district8217;s Maram clashes have been reported between supporters of UNC-sponsored candidate Raina and Congress power minister Francis Ngajokpa. Though the EC has not yet confirmed incidents of violence, Francis has asked for repoll in 18 polling stations alleging that UNC supporters stopped voters from casting votes in favour of other candidates.

In Ukhrul, an EVM was damaged by militants leading to a short delay. In Phungyur constituency, an EVM was smashed by militants who entered the booth, an EC release said.