CEO urged to shield INC candidates, workers in hills
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 23 2022:
A delegation of INC led by senior observer Jairam Ramesh submitted a memorandum to CEO Manipur urging the latter to look into threats to INC candidates and workers and denial of holding meets by supporters of underground groups in the hill districts.
Apart from Jairam Ramesh, the delegation who went to submit the complaint, comprised Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee president K Theri, MPCC working president T Mangibabu and general secretary Hareswar Goswami.
After submitting the memorandum, K Theri told media persons that INC candidates and workers in the hills are being threatened, thrashed and even shot at meeting venues of INC by supporters of underground organisations and this has clearly showcased failure of law & order in hill areas of Manipur.
According to Theri, he came to Manipur on a four-day long campaign for the Assembly election.
However, supporters of underground organisations threatened and even denied holding INC election campaign in Saitu, Chura-chandpur, Saikot and Henglep assembly constituencies.
They even thrashed INC workers and supporters at some places.
Accordingly, a memorandum was submitted to the CEO with request to look into the matter and take necessary action to ensure free and fair conduct of the upcoming election, he added.
Theri further said that excessive acts against INC candidates and, workers indicate that state government could not control law & order in the hill areas of Manipur and hill people are fearful of the prevailing environment.
The memorandum was submitted to provide conducive atmosphere in the hills and the CEO assured of looking into the matter and take up necessary action, he added.
T Mangibabu also told media persons that K Theri came as the party's star campaigner for the election and visited many areas in Saitu, Churachandpur, Saikot and Henglep assembly constituencies.
However, underground supporters threatened him against taking part in INC election campaign and this indeed contradicts the government's claim that peace has been restored in the state, Mangibabu said and asked whether people would be able to elect good candidates in such hostile atmosphere.