Contractor, BJP unit dismiss assault slur
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 29 2022:
Refuting the allegations made in media regarding assault on Wangoi Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) office, Mayang Imphal assistant inspector (AI) in-charge Yumnam Nikendro by ex-minister Oinam Lukhoi, BJP Wangoi Mahila Mandal and a contractor, who claimed to have witnessed the incident contained that the allegation was baseless and part of a conspiracy to draw political mileage.
Speaking to media persons at Yumnam Huidrom on Thursday, contractor Surjit Wangkheimayum of Wangoi informed that he frequents the area in connection with construction of a warehouse and a training hall of the agriculture department near the Wangoi ZEO office.
He along with another sub-contractor was there on the day of the incident i.e., December 27, he recalled, while maintaining that ex-minister O Lukhoi also frequently visits the place to inspect work progress of the warehouse and the training hall.
On the said day, ex-minister Lukhoi came for inspection and chatted with Nikendro in the latter's office regarding certain statements made by Nikendro on Lukhoi's electoral defeat.
However, the ex-minister made no physical assault, he clarified, while adding that he heard Nikendro apologising about his statements and promised not to repeat them.
Later, Nikendro returned to his office and did his duty with no incident of confrontation.
During the period of the alleged incident of assault, other staffers of the office were also there and no one spoke anything about physical assault, the contractor claimed.
Meanwhile, BJP Wangoi Mahila Mandal general sec retary Thiyam Nganbi denounced that the allegation levelled against O Lukhoi and termed it as a conspiracy to defame the ex-minister.
As such, the government should transfer Nikendro to other place for lying, she demanded, while cautioning that people of Wangoi will launch intense protest if Nikendro remains at the same office.