Election observer dead in Manipur

Imphal: Manipur election observer Chandra Bhanu, an IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre, has died of cardiac arrest, officials said. A 1993 batch officer, Bhanu, who was sent by the Election Commission as an observer of Inner Manipur Lok Sabha constituency, died while returning to the state capital from border town of Moreh yesterday.

He was 50. Saurath Bhauthuri, a West Bengal cadre IAS officer, will replace him. Officials said post-mortem has been conducted on Bhanu`s body which will later be sent to his home state. Inner Manipur parliamentary constituency will go to polls on April 17. The state has two parliamentary constituencies - Inner Manipur (Valley districts) and Outer Manipur (Hill districts). Election to Outer Manipur was held on April 9.