BJP, NPF blamed for UG threats to NPP
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 08 2022:
National People's Party (NPP) has alleged that their candidates and workers are being subjected to targeted intimidation and abuse by several militant outfits in Manipur.
In a statement issued by its Media and Communication Cell, New Delhi, NPP urged for adequate security cover to its candidates and demanded that arms be seized from all underground groups.
The NPP further alleged that members of some armed outfits are actively campaigning for opposition parties including the BJP.
"The outfits KNF-MC, KNF-Z, UKLF, KNA, and HPC (D) have openly come out in blatant support of our opponent's candidates from BJP and NPF," it said.
In Tipaimukh constituency, the cadres of militant outfits HPC (D) is moving around with arms intimidating the voters and ordering village chiefs to vote for BJP candidates, the party alleged.
Underground groups like KNA and UKLF that are under the "Suspension of Operation (SoO)" agreement with the Centre are threatening NPP party workers and village chief to make them support the BJP candidate Letpao Haokip in Tengnoupal assembly, contended the NPP statement, adding that it is contesting in 42 out of 60 assembly seats this time.
In 2017, it had contested only nine seats, won four of them and emerged as kingmaker.
Without NPP's support, the BJP would not have been able to form a coalition government, it maintained.
It may be mentioned that BJP is contesting in all the 60 seats.
At least 10 former Congress leaders among 16 MLAs who joined the BJP have got tickets in the state.
The NPP statement provided details of constituencies where it claims militants are campaigning for the BJP and threatening its candidates.
In the Tamenglong constituency, outfits under SoO are campaigning strongly for NPF and BJP candidates and have warned our party workers of dire consequences, it said.
Detailing the threats, NPP added that on February 6, KNF-MC and KNF-Z leaders Paokholen Haokip, Jangkhonlum Haokip and Luntnang Haokip threatened their workers and ordered the village chief to vote for BJP candidate Letzamang Haokip in Henglep AC.
The outfit members had reportedly halted six women NPP workers and two drivers at Lamden Kuki village and threatened to shoot them if they campaigned for the NPP candidate.
"We have complained about the incidents of attacks and threats issued to our candidates to Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur and to Election Commission of India.
The ongoing situation is an attempt to jeopardise the conduct of peaceful, free and fair elections in the state of Manipur," the NPP statement said.
If the ongoing situation is allowed to prevail, voters will be fearful of coming out to vote which will directly hamper the conduct of elections, the statement said, adding that the NPP believes in the democratic process and free and fair elections.
The party urged the authorities to put all underground groups under SoO in their respective camps and recover arms from their possession.
"We would also like to urge that all constituencies, which has presences of UGs be declared most sensitive' and additional security is provided in the constituencies for the conduct of fair election process," it said.
NPP also pointed out that the security cover for its sitting MLA Y Erabot Singh from Wangkhei AC has been reduced, and demanded that enough security cover be provided to him.