Investigation has been taken up to deduce the facts behind the unfortunate incident that took place in Andro assembly constituency under Imphal East district last night, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said on Saturday.
It is reported that father of NPP’s Andro candidate L Sanjoy was shot during an election campaign held on Friday night at Yairipok Yambem Leikai, Imphal East.
Many sustained injuries and houses and vehicles were also vandalised in connection with a pre-poll violence that took place between alleged supporters of BJP and NPP candidates of Andro assembly constituencies.
As per the information he received, the bullet was fired by a guard of the NPP candidates, Biren said, adding, investigation has been started to find out on what grounds and situation the guard fired the bullet.
“Moreover I had not received any information about involvement of BJP workers in the incident,” he added.
He was speaking to the media on the sideline of the flag hoisting ceremony of BJP held at the residence of Kshetrigao MLA N Indrajit at Thambalkhong Sabal Leikai in Imphal East. Indrajit is also the BJP candidate of Kshetrigao assembly constituency.
The chief minister stated that there reports on misuses of security escort by candidates by selecting their close contacts as their security and making them work in the candidates’ personal interest. Actually, police personnel should be neutral during their line of duty, he added.
“There is no place for violence. I have strongly instructed all the candidates of BJP to not encourage any sorts of violence. Violence in elections is wrong,” said Biren.
Regarding the allegation made by MLA L Jayantakumar on instigating government officers to organise BJP meetings in various locations of Keishamthong assembly constituency, Biren said, “It is a wild allegation.”
“On the other hand, I cannot stop anyone who came to listen to my speech in a public or camera meeting. Moreover, I do not personally know all the people who attended the meeting with me,” he clarified adding, “Bring out the proof before alleging someone.”
Biren said that the BJP never considered hills and valleys as two, it always considered it as one, and as a result, the people of Manipur had witnessed equal development in both the hills and valleys.
“Likewise, leaders of BJP including its central leaders have been visiting both hills and valley districts in their ongoing campaign as our objective is to stay connected with the people and move together towards development. BJP will not leave anyone behind,” he added.
As the party is widely accepted by the people of Manipur for bringing tremendous development and everlasting peace in its five years regime, getting an absolute majority is not a big deal, added Biren.
