Ukhrul, February 19: With the second phase polls, slated for February 21 and the stakes obviously high, Ukhrul district, which has three Assembly constituencies, saw sporadic acts of violence and a string of abduction purportedly carried out by armed persons who identified themselves as NSCN (IM) cadres during the last few days.

One interesting pattern in the string of abduction and violence is BJP candidates and their supporters and workers are left untouched so far.

According to delayed reports, six active Congress (I) workers and the son of the INC candidate in Ukhrul AC, AS Arthur were abducted by armed persons on February 17 and released the next day.

The Congress workers who were abducted included, Ng Ngalengai, president of District Congress Committee, S Zingthan, chief agent of the Congress candidate AS Arthur, P Ningkhalen and Ng Dickson.

They were reportedly picked up from Ukhrul.

Arthur's son Wungthingthing was also abducted by armed persons from Nungshong Lamkhai.

All were released the next day and firmly warned not to campaign for the Congress candidate.

A Jeep used by the candidate's son was pushed down a deep ravine.

Armed persons also hijacked a car of the candidate's son and later pushed it down a steep ravine last night at a place in between Lunghar and Nungbi under Shangshak police station.

The car was retrieved later with the help of villagers.

A Gypsy and a Maruti car of the Congress candidate in Ukhrul constituency were also pushed down the ravine at Lunghar village by armed persons on February 18.Earlier armed persons stopped a Jeep belonging to the Chingai Congress (I) candidate at Tolloi and after ordering the workers to get down destroyed the vehicle.

A Jeep belonging to the FPM candidate of Chingai was also destroyed by armed persons.

The three Assembly constituencies at Ukhrul district are Ukhrul, Phungyar and Chingai.

In the 7th Assembly election, BJP's Danny Shaiza romped home by a comfortable margin of over 6000 votes over his nearest rival, Arthur of the Congress.

Danny secured 10578 votes to Arthur's 4549.There were 11 candidates in the fray then.

This time round the fight is expected to be close between Arthur and Danny Shaiza.

The other candidate in the fray is FPM's AS Shimreiyo.

Phungyar constituency is the stronghold of Rishang Keishing who has never tasted defeat.

In the last election he defeated his nearest rival, Wungnaoshang Keishing of JD (U) by over one thousand votes.

Rishang secured 4539 votes to Wungnaoshang's 3342.There were 8 candidates in the 7th Assembly election.

This time too the number of candidates in the fray is eight.

Like in the 7th Assembly election Chingai AC will see an eight cornered contest this round too.