Suspected rebels kill one in Manipur: India

IMPHAL: Amid hectic canvassing for the June 1 Autonomous District Council (ADC) polls in Manipur, suspected militants kidnapped and killed a man in remote Tamenglong district, police said on Friday.

The victim, Sajohn (30), hailing from the Zeliangrong Naga-dominated district, would campaign in the Haochong area for a Congress candidate. He was kidnapped by unidentified armed men on Wednesday evening, local sources said, and his bullet-riddled body was found at a spot between Ijeirong and Haochong, under Tamenglong PS, on Thursday. His motorcycle was burnt by the suspected militants.

An autopsy was conducted on his body at the Imphal-based Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences on Friday, police said. No group has claimed responsibility for the incident yet.

Political parties have stepped up canvassing for the election to the six hill district councils of Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Chandel, Churachandpur, Senapati and Sadar Hills. Leaders of the ruling Congress have been harping on the threat from militants in the hill districts. The party alleged that threats have been issued to its candidates for the ADC polls.

A Congress leader in Tamenglong, however, denied that Sajohn was a Congress worker. He (Sajohn) had defected from an underground outfit and his killing is unrelated to Congress and the ongoing campaign for the ADC polls, the leader added.

Of the total 144 ADC seats, BJP has fielded candidates from 121 seats, Congress from 97 and Naga People's Front from 86. There are 237 Independent candidates and 14 from other organizations. Scrutiny of nomination papers was held on Thursday.

Source http://m.timesofindia.com/city/guwahati/Suspected-rebels-kill-one-in-Manipur/articleshow/47207277.cms