Imphal, Feb. 22: Fresh violence rocked Manipur on the eve of the third and final phase of the Assembly elections. Unidentified persons shot dead two persons, presumed to be poll workers, in Singhat constituency of Churachandpur district around midnight.

Police said armed thugs abducted four workers from the election office of a candidate near Churachandpur town. Their bodies were recovered this morning. The two other persons managed to escape, but sustained bullet injuries. They have been admitted to the district hospital, police said.

This year’s poll process in Manipur, the longest ever since it became a state in 1972, comes to an end tomorrow, when 12 Assembly constituencies go to the hustings. Over three lakh voters will decide the fate of 76 candidates, including two women candidates, in 3,516 polling stations across the three districts of Churachandpur, Tamenglong and Chandel and in Jiribam constituency of Imphal East.

Prominent candidates whose fate hangs in the balance include PCC president Gaikhangam, close confidant of chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh and tribal development minister Phungzathang Tonsing, former Speaker and water supply minister T.N. Haokip and food and civil supplies minister Th. Devendra Singh.

Candidates sponsored by the United Naga Council (UNC) have raised the issue of integration of Naga-inhabited areas in opposition to the Congress’s slogan of peace and stability in Tamenglong and Chandel districts. Political parties in Churachandpur district are harping on peace and development. The most important issue in Jiribam constituency is upgradation of the area into a full-fledged revenue district.

Chief electoral officer R.R. Rashmi said adequate security measures have been taken to ensure violence-free polling. He said nearly 30 armed personnel of central paramilitary forces would be deployed at each polling station. The general officer commanding, 3 Corps, Lt Gen. M.S. Dadwal, today reviewed the law and order situation with senior army officials in view of tomorrow’s polling.