Five dead in election violence in India's remote Manipur state

Jan 28, 2012, 12:13 GMT

New Delhi - Separatist rebels killed an Indian paramilitary trooper and three election officials in an attack on a polling booth in India's north-eastern state of Manipur Saturday, news reports said.

A rebel was also killed when security forces returned fire. The violence occurred in the remote Chakpi Karong village in the Chandel district.

It was not clear to which group the rebels belonged, the police said. At least two dozen militant groups have been leading a decades-long violent campaign in Manipur. Their demands range from autonomy for various tribal belts to a separate state.

Manipur is the first of five states to hold elections for a state legislature between January and March in what is being seen as a test for both the Indian National Congress, which leads a coalition government, and the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party.

Violence was also reported in several parts of the state on the eve of the elections which were held under tight security. At least two people were killed in pre-election violence, police said.

There were five explosions, including one outside a government official's house in state capital Imphal Friday, and several bombs believed to have been planted by militant groups were defused in areas near Imphal, police said.

Despite a boycott call by several militant groups, the Election Commission said provisional turnout was about 65 per cent.

Manipur is one of the two states where the Congress party is hoping to return to power.

India is scheduled to hold a national election in 2014.