Imphal, November 06: With the Assembly election fever gripping the hill districts of Manipur, prices of pigs are soaring as pork has been the age-old favourite item in the dining table among the tribal community for such events.

The demand for pork has risen as the election fever has come at a time when winter has set in and pork meat is considered to be one of the best bets to beat the biting chill in the hills.

A ten day survey conducted by Newmai News Network in the 20 Assembly Constituencies in the five hill districts of Churachandpur, Senapati, Chandel, Ukhrul, and Tamenglong has revealed that there are 117 intending candidates for the forthcoming Assembly election which is slated for February next year.

The survey included interviewing prominent public leaders of all these Assembly Constituencies in the five hill districts.

However, in four Assembly constituencies of the 20 A/C the number of intending candidates are still sketchy.

Chandel Assembly constituency tops the list regarding the highest number of intending candidates followed by Thanlon A/C and Mao A/C.There are 14 intending candidates with six of them extremely serious in Chandel A/C while 9 intending candidates are in Mao A/C.Tengnoupal A/C has about 8 intending candidates while Karong A/C under Senapati district too has 8 intending candidates.

In Churachandpur district things are still obscure in this regard but as of now Thanlon A/C has 8 intending candidates, Singhat 2 serious and another 2 intending unsure candidates while Tipaimukh has 4 intending candidates with speculations doing the round.

Henglep is said to have 4 intending candidates while CCpur A/C has 3 and Saikot with 6 intending candidates.

However, no definite reports could be ascertained for CCpur district at the moment.

There are altogether 16 intending candidates in Ukhrul district with 6 in Chingai A/C, 5 in Ukhrul A/C and another 5 in Phungyar A/C.In Tamenglng district, Nungba A/C has 4 intending candidates, 4 in Tamenglong A/C and another four in Tamei/Tousem A/C.Senapati's Tadubi A/C has 6 intending candidates while in Sadar Hills areas, Saitu and Saikul A/Cs have 4 intending candidates each, and KPI with 7 intending candidates.

The names of the intending candidates are not published for obvious reason at this stage but as more development unfurls, the reports will be updated.

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