While Onjalal Kipgen of K. Phaijang was arrested for allegedly causing damage to EVM with a hammer at 57/49-Leinom Polling Station, Manggoulun Haolai (19) Yrs S/o (L) Lammang Haolai of Mollen, Kamsei Village, Ukhrul District was nabbed for causing damage to VVPAT machines at 46/54-Leplen polling Station
TFM Desk
The Manipur Police arrested two persons for vandalizing EVM, VVPAT Machines on phase-1 of 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly Election held on February 28, the official said on Thursday.
According to the official source, District Police, Churachandpur arrested Onjalal Kipgen of K. Phaijang on 1st March, 2022 for allegedly causing damage to EVM with a hammer. He was the polling agent for 57/49-Leinom Polling Station.
As per the FIR registered at District police, Churachandpur based on the report submitted by the Returning Officer, 57- Henglep AC, the EVM allotted to 57/49-Leinom Polling Station had been damaged by a person on poll day of Phase-I, 28th February, 2022 at about 3:45 p.m. The District Police, during their course of investigation through eyewitness testimony and call tracing arrested Onjalal Kipgen from B. Aijalon area of Churachandpur District.
It may be mentioned that such offence is in contravention to section 3 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984, section 171-C, section 427 and section 506 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and is punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years and with fine.
In another incident, District Police, Kangpokpi also arrested an accused namely, Manggoulun Haolai (19) Yrs S/o (L) Lammang Haolai of Mollen, Kamsei Village, Ukhrul District. He was arrested as per a complaint lodged by Returning Officer, 46-Saikul AC Shri Bungba Maibam Khuman for causing damage to VVPAT machines at around 11:40 a.m. on poll day i.e. 28th February, 2022 at 46/54-Leplen polling Station by some unknown miscreants.
A case under FIR No. 8(2)2022 SKL-PS u/s 171(F)/427/447/34-IPC was registered at Saikul Police Station on the same day as per the complaint lodged and later added Section 136(2)(b) Representation of People Act, 1951. Soon after the registration of FIR, District Police led by OC/SKL-PS under the supervision of Seikhomang Khongsai, DSP/G.SPM and the overall supervision of Amrita Sinha, IPS, SP-KPI District started investigation of the case by visiting the place of incident.
After inspection of the P.O and as per the source from one of the personnel deployed, Manggoulun Haolai was arrested on the same day at 4:15 pm from Leplen village near Leplen Primary School. Investigation is also on to arrest the other co-accused persons.