Will the ADC polls be blood splattered?
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, May 23 2015 : Decks are cleared for the June 1 polls for the 144-seated six district councils spreading over five hill districts in Manipur.

Some candidates have no rival and they will be formally declared to have been elected uncontested.

In the last elections.

one armed group and some groups had banned the ADC polls.

It was alleged that these groups had threatened candidates and the latter could not carry on their campaign since the Government had no manpower and mechanism to give them cast iron protection.

As many candidates did not file nomination papers or withdrew the same several candidates of the ruling Congress got a walk-over.

Even after the elections the members did not feel safe to stay in their homes and mingle with people in their constituencies.

The government kept these members in a safe house located within the sports complex in Imphal.

But some militants got hold of one member and shot him dead in Ukhrul district.

Another member who was lounging in his home near Imphal for some minutes was attacked.

Though grievously injured he managed to survive.

There had been several botched attempts to kill these elected members.

In one instant a bomb had exploded prematurely killing six persons including the bomber at a small market near the safe house.

This time there was no election ban and all sections in general and the candidates in particular heaved a sigh of relief.

However they are not out of woods.

The other day one Congress worker of a candidate was beaten up.

According to him NSCN (IM) insurgents tortured him demanding Rs 300,000.Chief Minister Okram Ibobi and his deputy Gaikhangam who holds Home flayed the NSCN (IM) suggesting that the centre which is holding peace talks with it should restrain the NSCN(IM).

However the NSCN (IM) denied any hands.

Both these ministers have been blaming the NSCN(I) for everything bad that happens in Manipur.

It also wondered whether the state government shall blame it for the bombing of the Naga People's Front office at Kamjong in Ukhrul district.

At this crucial moment the Manipur Naga People's Front came out with a statement owning responsibility for the bombing.

It said that the NSCN (IM) and the NPF are the two sides of the same coin.

It further said that the bombing was so timed that there would be no casualty.

Security measures have been beefed up to check further bomb attacks.

There is a silent threat to the Congress candidates although many of them are coming out with campaigns including flag hoisting functions.

The major players are BJP, NPF and Congress.

For the first time in electoral politics BJP has opened its accounts since one candidate will get elected uncontested.

Both Congress and BJP are saying that if there is free and fair election their candidates shall get majority.

On the other hand, some tribal groups have objected to the way the government is planning to count the votes in Imphal.

They are saying that the counting should be done within the respective districts.

However the government fears breach of law and order and to ensure that there is no obstruction it is making arrangements for the counting.

In the last election too, the countings were done in Imphal.

Besides as in the last elections most of the candidates had filed their nomination papers in Imphal and not their districts on security concerns.

All sections are keeping their fingers crossed in view of the charged atmosphere.

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