Poll violence erupts in Tengnoupal AC
Source: Chronicle News Service
Kakching, February 25 2022:
Clashes broke out between workers of independent candidate Tantanga Kohai Moshilpha and NPF candidate D Korungthang, who are in the fray for the seat of Tengnoupal assembly constituency, during an election meeting of Moshilpha held at Kharou Khullen under Tengnoupal district on Friday.
The incident left many injured and damage caused to vehicles belonging to both sides.
Speaking to the media, Moshilpha informed that despite bid to stop him en-route to Kharou Khullen, where an election meeting was planned, he reached the venue.
After about 10 minutes of commencement of the meeting, workers of NPF candidate D Korungthang came in vehicles and started pelting stones, shooting slings and attacking with sticks which led to violent clashes between both sides, he recalled.
The independent candidate further said that the violence led to damage of several vehicles belonging to both the parties along with injuring 10 of his supporters including his security escort deputed from Machi Police.
Condemning the violence, TK Moshilpha asserted that it is very wrong not to allow holding of election campaign as the people have every right to vote for candidate of their choice.
Authority concerned must ensure that such incidents are not repeated and a free and fair election is held in the AC, he further demanded.
The violence was controlled after a team of Tengnoupal District Police Commando and Assam Rifles arrived.
After then only, the election meeting of TK Moshilpha resumed.
Meanwhile, Mating frontal organisa tions namely Mating Uparap Assembly (MUA), Mating Napuiya Yinglam (MOT) and Mating Students' Union (MSU) have strongly condemned the violent incident that took place in Kharou Khullen village on Friday and held supporters of Moshilpha responsible for the clashes.
In a joint release, SU and MNY claimed that the incident took place when volunteers of Mating frontal organisations were mobilising an election awareness programme in Rilram area during which many supporters of TK Moshilpha accompanied by the candidate came and attacked the volunteers for mobilising the people to support the NPF candidate.
The attack resulted in damage of five vehicles used by the volunteers for transportation along with wounding three Of the volunteers.
The Mating organisations also reaffirmed their commitment to stand firm with the resolution taken by MUA on November 27,2021 and the solemn pledge signed by the four intending candidates on January 27 to support the NPF candidate.