India National Congress candidate for by-election of 51-Saitu (ST) assembly constituency Lamtinthang Haokip on Thursday wrote to the Election Commission of India demanding disqualification of the candidature of BJP candidate of the assembly constituency Ngamthang Haokip. Lamtinthang also demanded appropriate actions against the Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) for justice and to uphold democratic elections.
The letter stated that “KRA which is under Suspension of Operation (SoO) with the Union and state governments attempted the life of the INC candidate by firing six rounds of bullets while the candidate was campaigning on October 28 at Kangchup Tuikun Village under Kangchup Police Station in Kangpokpi district, Manipur for the by-election.”
The letter also claimed that KRA had also physically assaulted the INC sub-committee chairman Khailun Vaiphei of Kharam Vaiphei Village and threatened six other INC supporters on the same night.
Stating that KRA also stopped INC supporters of Leimakhong Areas from organising a public rally, the letter added that KRA cadres are freely roaming in Saitu AC with arms and campaigning for BJP Candidate.
Meanwhile, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee has also written to the Election Commission of India to take note of the serious matter and to take necessary action against the KRA who are under SoO protocol signed with the Centre and to ensure that such incidents do not recur.
The letter submitted by president of MPCC, Moirangthem Okendro on Thursday stated that the Congress campaign rally for the Saitu AC by-election at Kangchup Chingkhong, Kangpokpi district polling Station on October 28 came under threat for cancellation on the evening of October 27.
The threat came specifically from the underground group KRA which is under SoO talks with the Centre. The KRA operating in the area are overtly in support of the BJP candidate Ngamthang Haokip, the letter stated.
“Owing to the threat, the meeting was shifted to the open S.D.O. ground of Kangchup Village. However, in spite of the shifting of venue there was firing of automatic weapons from the nearby hill towards the meeting with the motive to create fear and scare among the INS candidate supporters and voters,” it said.
Recounting that the firing took place at about 1 pm while the Congress leaders were delivering speeches, it added that the firing was a direct attempt on the life of the INC Candidate, VIPs on the dias, as well as the Congress workers and supporters.