Congress MLA hails SC ruling, slams Govt
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, December 14 2021: While hailing the ruling of Supreme Court to stay all proceedings against him regarding an FIR registered in relation with an incident during the 2019 Lok Sabha election, Wangkhem MLA K Meghachandra has urged the government not to misuse power against an elected legislator.

Addressing a press meet at Congress Bhawan here on Tuesday, MLA Meghachandra, who is also the working president of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), recalled that during the 2019 Lok Sabha election, he along with a Congress candidate went to Nongpok Keithelmanbi polling station in Andro assembly constituency upon getting information of denying entry to Congress agent inside the polling station and denying Congress supporters to cast their votes.

He scolded a police constable for doing nothing to control the situation while stating that he will submit a report to the Election Commission.

Interestingly, a criminal case was registered against him at Thoubal Dam police station.

He spent nearly two years in fighting the case from the lower court up to the Supreme Court.

Lower court denied bail but the High Court of Manipur entertained his plea.

Later, several charges were added against him and he took the case to the Supreme Court.

Consequently, the apex court oh Monday issued instruction to stay all proceedings against him, he said while welcoming the SC ruling and calling it as a victory of truth.

In the meantime, special court for MPs and MLAs is summoning him for appearance on Tuesday, he added.

He further said that he did not assault the police constable but simply warned him of reporting to the Election Commission for hot performing his duty for which the state government misused its power and harassed a legislator.

One can easily imagine how a journalist or common people could suffer under the present government if they can harass a legislator like this.

The government is violating all the fundamental rights of journalists and common people by arresting them under different Acts for simply raising their voices against failed policies and injustice.

These situations raise the question if the state is still under a democratic government, he said while urging the government not to misuse power.

He also urged the government to make the forthcoming election free and fair.

The MLA opined that it would be better if the government focuses on investigating drug cases and submits charge sheets against those accused within a short period, instead of submitting charge sheet against an elected public representative for raising demand for free and fair election.

It would be better for the government to stop arresting journalists under NSA for speaking against the government, he said.

He also charged the government of violating the constitution of the country.

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