Zeliangrong bodies appeal for free and fair polls
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, March 03 2022:
Zeliangrong Civil Organisations (ZCOs) comprising Zeliangrong Baudi, Zeliangrong Youth Front and Zeliangrong Students' Union on Thursday strongly urged all concerned to leave the public alone in the matter of election and let them exercise their democratic right in a free and fair manner.
In a press statement; the ZCOs pointed out that social-economic backwardness and development deficit that have been witnessed in Zeliangrong areas are due to interference and intimidation from certain groups during the time of elections, adding: "Let the people use their wisdom, decide whom to vote for and choose the right candidate" .
The statement of the Zeliangrong bodies then expressed dismay that some people imposed road blockade near Tamphung village and Magamai village areas along the Maram-Peren road under Tadubi Assembly Constituency, Senapati district, Manipur.
Zeliangrong voters comprising students and others who are engaged in different professions and coming to exercise their democratic right from Nagaland side were forcibly turned back towards Peren side at Tamphung village and those voters coming from Senapati and Imphal were diverted towards Maram Centre at Magamai village.
Such unlawful and criminal act committed by the group of people in question is totally unacceptable and uncalled for and ZCOs strongly condemn and demand the authority concerned to inquire and identify the people behind the incident for necessary action as per law of the land, it said.
The ZCOS also cautioned that failure on the part of the government to act as per law of the land will only set as a precedence in the coming future.
"It is not wise to obstruct the rights of the others while trying to achieve their objective.
The best approach and the most effective method of winning the election is to convince the hearts and minds of the voters by way of rightful and acceptable means" .
the statement further said.
ZCOs then urged to all concerned to refrain from resorting to such act, adding: "Let peace and social harmony prevail by respecting the rights of the others people" .
"The selection of candidate in the election time without giving the opportunity to the people to think is the root cause of social backwardness and poor economical condition of the people.
Selection of candidates by certain group br organisation by means of intimidation or coercion to voters during the election time is a suppressive policy and anti-people approach which should be stopped forthwith in the larger interest of the people", the Zeliangrong bodies added.
ZCOs then urged all voters to exercise their democratic right in free and fair manner.