A husband and wife were allegedly assaulted by miscreants using hockey sticks at Salungpham Kang Thokchao in Heirok assembly constituency on Thursday night.
Both have been admitted to Raj Policlinic and the husband is said to be in a critical condition.
The incident happened around 10.30 pm when Phuritsabam Anoi, 43, son of Ph Tolamu and his wife Meipakpi from Salungpham Mayai Leikai Kang Thokchao were sleeping at a hut built in a farm near their home.
The miscreants not only beat Anoi severely with hockey sticks but also fired 5-6 rounds. They also destroyed the vegetables grown in the farm.
Narrating about the incident, Meipakpi told the media that they were sleeping at the hut in the farm when the miscreants started knocking at the door. When she opened the door, the miscreants wearing masks, went to her sleeping husband and severely assaulted him, she said.
She continued that the miscreants also beat her and threatened her not to go outside or shout for help by pointing a gun at her. They left the hut after announcing that her husband was dead, she said. When she finally called for help, neighbors came and admitted them to the hospital, she added.
She was given first aid and discharged while her husband is in a critical condition. Mentioning that they are both daily wagers, she expressed fear that her husband may not recover and appealed to the authority concerned to book the culprits and give appropriate punishment.
SP Jogeshchandra of Thoubal District Police inspected the place where the incident took place. He expressed that investigations have been launched and the suspects have been identified. They will be arrested soon and necessary action will be taken up as per law, he said.
Meanwhile, locals of Salungpham Mayai Leikai staged a protest, condemning the incident.
The protestors displayed placards that read, ‘Arrest the culprits immediately’, ‘Stop election related violence’, ‘Punish the culprits’, ‘Install a Police outpost at Salungpham’ etc.
United Club Organisation (UCO) assistant secretary Ph Mani who took part in the protest denounced the incident, and expressed that no election related violence had occurred in the past at Salungpham.
Announcing that several resolutions had been taken, he said that Anoi is still lying unconscious at the hospital, and the three intending candidates of Heirok assembly constituency must take responsibility for him until he returns to normal life. He further demanded those responsible for the attack to come forward and issue a clarification.
