2 persons arrested

Imphal: Manipur police have arrested two persons for allegedly damaging EVMs and VVPAT machines in the first phase of elections in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts.

According to an official, in the first incident, Chorachandpur district police on Tuesday arrested a man named Onjalal Kapgan of K-Phaijang for damaging an EVM with a hammer. An official statement said he was a polling agent at the 57/49-Lenum polling station.

This offense is against Section 3, Section 171-C, Section 427 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984 and Section 506 of the Penal Code of India 1860, and is punishable by imprisonment for a term which is extended.

In another incident, Kangpokpi District Police also arrested a suspect, Manggoulan Haolai, after a complaint was lodged by Returning Officer, 46-Cycle AC for damaging VVPAT machines at around 11:40 a.m. on polling day.

Haolai was arrested in the village of Leplen, near Leplen Primary School. He added that an investigation was underway to arrest the other co-accused.