Family fined for hoisting rivals flag
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 26 2022:
A family at Oksu Ningthemcha Khul Makha Leikai under Lamlai AC was made to return double the money given for erecting a flag of JD (U) candidate Kshetrimayum Biren, after the family also hoisted a flag of RPI (A) candidate Mongjam Poireihanba.
Speaking to newspersons in this regard, Phulem Mocha (53) s/o (L) Phulem Kulla of Oksu Ningthemcha Khul Makha Leikai recounted that he was given Rs 10,000 for putting up the flag of BJP intending candidate Biren at his (Mocha) residence.
After Biren failed to get the party ticket, he joined JD(U) and one of his workers gave Mocha, who has been Biren's worker for 20 years, Rs 3000 for erecting the flag of JD (U) .
However, due to dissatisfaction, Mocha decided to support RPI (A) candidate Mongjam Poireihanba and erected the latter's flag.
As such, one Mutum Thoibi, who is Biren's worker, threatened him (Mocha) to return double of the money given previously.
Mocha then scrapped together whatever money he had and handed over Rs 26,000 to Mutum Thoiba and urged against any other threats in the future.
RPI (A) candidate Mongjam Poireihanba, who also attended the press meet, condemned the act committed by a candidate's workers, who gave money to the people for hoisting flag and later, extorting them just because they choose to support another candidate.
People have the right to elect candidate of their choice in,a democracy, he said, while informing that RPI would be urging the Election Commission of India to look into the matter and take up appropriate action.