Barring the wee-hour incident of stone pelting between Congress and NPF supporters, the by-election to Ward-13 of Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) held Friday, passed off peacefully with 66.79 % voters\u2019 turnout.\nMarked by heavy presence of police and IRB personnel, polling began at 8 a.m in all five polling booths held at PWD office complex and continued till 4 p.m, and out of the total 6013 voters, 4016 votes were cast.
\nHowever, observers and ward residents said that more than 50 % of the voters were bogus voters, some coming from as far as Mokokchung and Zunheboto.
\nWapang Walling of the Congress party and Yanger Imchen of the NPF were locked in a straight contest in the by-poll to Ward-13, which comprises of six colonies – PWD, Residency, Midland, Kyong, Oriental and Duncan \u2018B\u2019.
\nSources said around 2.30 a.m, NPF party supporters inside the Rental Housing Campus, PWD (H), and Congress supporters outside, started pelting stones at each other.
\nConfirming the incident, additional SP Dimapur, AZ Angami however said the situation was brought under control after police and IRB personnel resorted to lathi charge and fired a couple of blank shots.
\nBarring the early morning incident, Angami said polling went on peacefully till 4 p.m. The gate of the Housing Campus which was bolted from outside by police after the incident, was later reportedly opened by DMC chairperson Khekaho Assumi around 5 a.m.
\nWhile Congress workers alleged that the NPF party supporters inside the campus were bogus voters, the NPF denied the allegation.
\nPolice also seized one Gypsy loaded with stones and liquor from the polling area. NPF workers alleged that the vehicle belonged to a Congress DMC member.
\nThere was some confusion at polling booth No. 5 in the afternoon as the polling agents of the Congress and NPF reportedly decided to close polling by dividing the votes which were yet to be cast.
\nHowever, polling officials cleared the air and voting resumed.
\nA host of legislators and leaders from both the parties came and inspected the polling. From the NPF side included Rajya Sabha MP Khekiho Zhimomi, Home minister Imkong L Imchen, parliamentary secretaries Dr. Nihoshe, Y Patton and W Kithan.
\nCongress MLAs including KL Chishi, Hewoto Awomi, SI Jamir and Azheto Zhimomi were also seen visiting polling booths.
\nMeanwhile, official sources said counting and declaration of result will be held on August 8.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"