Lunghar booth capture: Repoll demanded
Source: Hueiyen News Service / R Lester Makang
Ukhrul, June 03 2015 :
A group of workers and supporters of different contending candidates of 11-Khamasom DCC in Ukhrul district on Wednesday staged a sit-in protest inside the Mini Secretariat complex to demand a repoll of Lunghar polling stations A & B in the wake of the alleged booth capture and assault on many fellow villagers by supporters of Independent candidate of Lunghar village during the recent MHAADC polls.
Coinciding with the protest demonstration, a press conference was hurriedly convened by the agents and workers of the five candidates of 11-Khamasom DCC at Viewland.
Addressing media persons, Soness, chief agent of BJP candidate SK Somi said narrated that both the polling booths A & B of Lunghar under 11-Khamasom DCC was entirely captured by supporters of Independent candidate HS Ngamsung through unacceptable tactics by barring entry of agents belonging to rival candidates.
He also said that in the intervening night of May 31 and June 1, the supporters of Ngamsung went on a violent spree in the village and bashed up many rival party workers and innocent people including women, apart from destroying 7 houses and other properties.
"They also shouted slogans warning dire consequences if any villagers fail to support Ngamsung." K Benjamin chief agent of Independent candidate Patrick said that following the threat all the agents of the other 5 contending candidates rushed to the concerned RO and submitted a complaint petition at 2 pm on the polling day calling for repoll of the two booths, while lamenting that despite this the RO has not initiated any action regarding the matter.
Worker of NPF candidate Sirawung, Somingam took strong note of the RO's indifferent attitude to the voice of the five agents for repoll of the booths, saying that his reluctance in hearing the pleas of his fellow community members was unfortunate.
A total of 6 candidates namely, NPF Sirawung, BJP Somi, INC Ningkham and 3 other Ngamsung, Patrict and Samuel are contesting the 11-Khamasom DCC which has a total of 1085 voters for the recently held MHAADC polls.
Workers of other candidates expressed their stance to fight for their constitutional rights until their demands are met.
They said that of the 12 persons who were assaulted by the miscreants six including women were badly injured and three are undergoing treatment in Imphal in critical conditions.