Lok Sabha elections: Moderate to brisk polling in four North Eastern states till noon

ITANAGAR/SHILLONG/IMPHAL/KOHIMA: Moderate to brisk polling was reported from four North Eastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Manipur for six Lok Sabha constituencies till noon.

There was 25 per cent polling in Arunachal, 39 per cent in Meghalaya, 38.98 per cent in Nagaland and 40 per cent in Manipur.

Polling was also underway for the 60-member Assembly in Arunachal Pradesh.

Congress candidate in Konsa (W) Assembly constituency in troubled Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh was kidnapped by suspected militants, but was released unharmed later.

Congress, BJP, NCP and Peoples Party of Arunachal (PPA), besides Independents, are in the fray in the Western and Eastern parliamentary constituencies which are traditional Congress strongholds since 1975, except in 2004 when BJP made a dent for the first time.

Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs Ninong Ering of Congress was pitted against BJP nominee Tarir Gao and PPA'S Wangman Lowangcha in the Eastern parliamentary seat.

After casting his vote at Sagalee, about 137 km from Itanagar, Chief Minister Nabam Tuki said the party would emerge winner in both the Lok Sabha and assembly polls.

Tuki was among 11 Congress candidates elected unopposed to the 60-member house.

Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Nirbhay Sharma cast his vote along with his wife Jyotsna Sharma.

"I congratulate the people of the state for their peaceful participation in the poll process indicating growth of democracy," he said.

There was a significant turnout of women and first- timer voters in a majority of the polling booths.