Imphal, Apr 22: The ten-day long Manipur Tourism Festival 2009, organised by the state''s tourism department, witnessed a significant participation of visitors from across the country and abroad.

The festival, which concluded on Tuesday, was aimed at highlighting the art and culture of northeast Manipur state.

Visitors from Thailand, Pakistan, Vietnam and Myanmar expressed great enthusiasm and contributed actively to the festival.

Jim Csuthathip Thavesuk, a stall owner from Thailand hoped that she would get a good response in this festival.

Imphal, Apr 22 : About 35 per cent of the electorates exercised their franchise by noon in the Inner Manipur parliamentary constituency in the second phase Lok Sabha polls on Wednesday.

About 40 per cent votes were cast by noon in Thoubal district from where Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh hails, 30 per cent in Bishenpur, 35 per cent in Imphal East and Imphal west district each.

According to sources, polling is underway in all 970 polling booths spread across the valley districts of Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal and Bishenpur.

Imphal, apr 22 : Polling for the Inner Manipur (valley districts) Lok Sabha seat constituency began today amidst tight security.

The polling will decide the fate of seven candidates. The main contest is between M Nara of the Communist Party of India (CPI), Th Chaoba of the Manipur People''s Party and Th Meinya of the Congress.

Other candidates are W Nipamacha of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), A Rahaman (Independent), Nongmaithem Homendro (Independent) and lone woman candidate L Khetrani of the Bahujan Congress Party.

A total of 8.25 lakh voters are expected to cast their votes.

Imphal, April 13: Two improvised explosive devices were recently found near Indira Park opposite to the Imphal west district police headquarters.

Just a day after bomb squad disposed off the devices yet another IED with a cell phones attached to it as remote control was found at Kangla Park.

A team of the State police bomb disposal squad defused and got rid of the bomb and averted a major tragedy.

KCP (MC) Lanheiba, a militant outfit, has claimed responsibility for planting the IEDs.

Imphal, April 10 : Militants have not stopped targeting non-local labourers in Manipur. Such incidents have created fear of repercussions in other States on people from the north-easten part of the country.

Militants have been targeting non-local labourers for money.

The militant group Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) has claimed responsibility for the recent killing of Deepak Gupta, a shop owner in Imphal when their extortion demands were not met.

Imphal, April 10 : People in Manipur fear that with political parties gearing up for the 15th Lok Sabha elections, militants are trying to vitiate the atmosphere and create a fear psychosis amongst political leaders and workers.

Suspected militants recently bombed the residence of Congress worker and the President of Imphal West District Jilla Prishad Soibam Subhaschandra at Ningombam village under Singjamei police station.

Though Subhaschandra was not at home at the time of blast, his wife Binodini sustained splinter injuries on her head.