Large scale pre-poll violence reported in Manipur

Four paramilitary personnel on poll duty were killed and three others injured in separate encounter with militants as election material including EVMS were destroyed prior to the first phase of Lok Sabha polls in Anipur, official sources said on Tuesday.

Activists of People's Liberation Army (PLA), armed wing of banned Revolutionary People's Front (RPF), which had boycotted Congress candidates, attacked an Assam Rifles party who went for area domination at Sajik Tampak near Manipur-Myanmar border for election duty on Monday evening, sources said.

They said the para-military forces also returned the fire and in the ensuing gunbattle that lasted more than four hours at Sajik Tampak, about 100 kms south-east of here in interior hills, three Assam Rifles personnel including an officer were killed.

The PLA insurgents looted some sophisticated weapons including three guns, one wireless set and other military equipments, said official reports on Tuesday adding that casualty, if any, on the side of the militants was not known.

Sources said more security forces have been rushed to Sajik Tampak area, which comes under Chandel district in outer Manipur Lok Sabha seat and added that forces in interior districts and areas would be deployed till the first phase election was over.

In another incident, separatist Manipur People's Army (MPA), armed wing of banned United National Liberation Front (UNLF) which had called for complete boycott of the current Lok Sabha elections, attacked a BSF post at Tulaiphai area in Churachandpur district late on Monday night.

Official reports said one BSF jawan was killed and three others were injured in the attack during which the para-military forces also returned the fire. Casualty on the side of MPA was not immediately known, sources said.

Callers who identified themselves as PLA and MPA in separate calls on Tuesday said they were responsible for Sajik Tampak and Tulaiphai attacks.