Imphal, January 27: Although first phase of election to the 9th Manipur Legislative Assembly is just few days away, there is uncertainty over the fate of around 5000 voters living in seven villages of Chandel AC and falling under Chakpikarong sub-division with authorities concerned having kept aside the issue on pretext of law and order problem.

In this connection, an official team led by Deputy Commissioner of Chandel district Norbert Disinang yesterday visited Khengjoi village.

While interacting with the officials, the villagers expressed their displeasure over failure of the Government and its authorities concerned to look into their grievances all these years and taking interest only during election time.

The villagers observed that since the law and order situation is still grave in the area, they are not in favour of holding the election in the area.

However, if at all, the election is to be conducted, the villagers said they would like all the underground elements to be flushed out from the area first of all.

They also drew the attention of the DC for providing adequate security in the area.

To ensure that the voters could cast their votes without any intimidation, the villagers urged the DC for setting up polling stations along with deployment of adequate infrastructures and polling personnel.

They further urged for repairing the road connecting Tengnoupal and Khengjoi at the earliest possible.

Later talking to media-persons, the DC said total number of voters in 12 villages under 41-Chandel AC of Chakpikarong sub-division is above 48,000.Out of this, around 5000 voters belonging to seven villages namely New Somtal, Semol, Molkon, Bungjoi, Yangngoulen, Wayang and Changpol have not been able to settled properly due to unsettling law and order situation in the area.

The Deputy Commission, however, expressed confidence the Election Commission would be giving the necessary instruction on where the polling stations would be set up to ensure that these voters participate in the election process very soon.

�On my part,, I have submitted a report to the Election Commission proposing setting up polling stations at three places namely Holenjang, TS Leiyang and Khengjoi�, he said, adding that based on the report, the Election Commission giving its instruction on from which polling stations the villagers would be allowed to cast their votes.

Responding to a question, the DC refrained from commenting on how many paramilitary forces would be deployed in the 41-Chandel Assembly Constituency, by saying that he has not yet received any information from the Election Commission in this regard.

As part of the yesterday�s inspection visit, the Deputy Commissioner inaugurated a Community Hall constructed at Khengjoi under the Border Area Development Programme of the Government of India.

The Deputy Commissioner also donated a sum of Rs 5000 to the villagers.