Manipur Blasts: Two persons including army jawan injured in twin IED blasts

IMPHAL(March 7): Twin improvised explosive device (IED) blasts rocked Manipur on Tuesday evening, a day before the second and final phase of assembly polls in the north eastern Indian state to be held on March 8.

According to reports, one jawan and a civilian were injured in the blasts which exploded in Ukhrul district.

A top official of Manipur police said, the first IED exploded near Aishi village in the hill district.

Suspected Naga militants triggered the explosion targeting to the ROP of 31 Assam Rifles personnel at the remote area under Kamjong police station. One rifleman R Vasnet was injured in the blast and he was immediately rushed to the nearest hospital.

The second blast exploded near a polling booth in the district at around 4 pm. The IED exploded just few meters away from the 43, 49 polling station at Ashang Khullen under Kamjong police station.

A civilian, who was engaged with election duty, was injured in the blast.

Manipur police said that, suspected Naga militants are behind the both explosions.

The second and final phase assembly poll in the north eastern Indian state will be held on March 8.

A total of 98 candidates are contesting in 22 assembly constituencies in the final phase poll spreading across the valley district of Thoubal and hill districts of Chandel, Tamenglong, Ukhrul and Senapati.

According to the Chief Electoral Officer of Manipur office, a total of 19,02,562 voters including 9,28,573 male and 9,73,989 female will exercise franchise in the final phase election.

Among them, 45,642 are new voters and they will cast their votes in 1,151 polling stations.

The voting will start from 7am with amid tight security.

The final phase poll will decide the fate of several high profile politicians including CM Okram Ibobi Singh, Deputy CM M Gaikhangam, human rights activist Irom Sharmila.

Source: http://thenortheasttoday.com