Imphal, Feb 21 (UNI) Manipur CPI Secretary B B Sharma in a memorandum to Governor Dr S.S.Sidhu has demanded free and fair election on February 23.

He alleged that some militants had petrified the voters on the first phase of election on February 8 and held them back from voting.

" Threats were issued to CPI candidates and their workers by resorting to rampant shooting and exploding hand grenades near the their houses," he said.

The armed militants also distributed live bullets to the workers of CPI candidates and others asking them not to work for the party candidates,he further alleged.

The NSCN (IM) abducted an Independent candidate Khangthuwanang Panmei and beat up his workers by overpowering his security personnel and even 12 arms were snatched from the security personnel.

On the eve of Third Phase of Election, two CPI candidates of two constituencies of Chandel District were forced to retire by underground militants, he claimed.

He said immediate attention of the Governor was drawn to this alarming situation to control and stop the continuing pre-poll and post-poll violences and to restore democracy.

UNI