Imphal, February 22: Prohibitory orders under Section 144 Cr PC have been promulgated in Tamei in Tamenglong district after tension mounted between workers of the BJP and Congress (I) over alleged snatching of ballot boxes after polling hours were over yesterday.

BJP candidate Athuan Abonmei and Congress (I) candidate Z Mangaibou are trading charges over the reported snatching of ballot boxes.

Athuan charged that workers of the Congress (I) candidate snatched and destroyed ballot boxes of seven polling centres namely Nalong, Makuinong, Kadi, Lemta, Kuilong, Thenjang and Lasan.

He submitted a representation to the SP naming five persons including Mangaibou's wife as the main accused in the alleged ballot box snatching case.

He demanded that all the five persons be brought to book and repoll be held in all the 7 polling centres.

He also demanded that adequate armed guards be provided at the polling centres where repoll will be held.

The BJP candidate further said his plea to provide armed guards to escort the ballot boxes turned on deaf ears.

He said following tension at Tamei following the incident prohibitory orders have been promulgated.

On the other hand the Congress (I) candidate said six ballot boxes of Maguinong, Lemta, Nallong, Kuilong, Kadi and Ileng were snatched away by armed persons while the polling officials along with agents of candidates were taking them on foot towards Tamei.

Mangaibou suspected that workers of the BJP candidate were behind the snatching of ballot boxes.

The MPCC has submitted a written complaint to the Electoral Officer saying booths were captured by armed persons at Nalong, Thenjang, Lahsan and Nungjao.

It demanded repoll in these polling stations.

Stating that the District Magistrate and ROs would be held responsible if any untoward incident takes place as a fallout of the snatching of the ballot boxes.

Meanwhile, FPM Nungba unit condemned the alleged assault of six party workers by supporters of the Congress (I) candidate in their attempt to capture booths during polling yesterday.

One Mini Tata was also destroyed, it said in a release.

The committee also deplores the alleged failure of the authorities to provide security at Dollang, Charoi-Chagotlong and other polling centres.