MLA denies, explains
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 01 2011:
Refuting the charges of opening fire from his license gun at some people in Wangjing Bazar today, Wangjing-Tentha Assembly Constituency MLA M Hemanta has observed that pelting stones to disrupt election campaign/meeting of the Congress party is not the conduct of civilised people and it is a direct affront to democracy.
Talking to mediapersons in connection with the incident of clash that took place at Wangjing today, Hemanta said he went to participate at a meeting of the election campaign committee convened at the Wangjing Bazar residence of L Bijen, who is chairman of the campaign committee.
Around 100 people including women participated in the meeting when some people started clanking the electric poles and pelting stones.
Expressing suspicion that the people who were trying to disrupt the meeting may be supporters of one Paonam Brojen, who is preparing to contest in the upcoming election to the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly, Hemanta demanded to know whether anyone has the right to prevent an elected representative and sitting MLA from entering any part of his Constituency.
There is no reason why the Government should not initiate action against them, Hemanta asserted, and added categorically that regardless of the social boycott call, his election campaign would continue.
Pointing out that in a democracy, people have the right to elect representative of their choice, Hemanta dared his opponent to face in the election peacefully and observed that to play petty politics and living under the impression that election could be won through coercive force is despicable.
It is also not the conduct of civilised people to cause disruption in the election meeting/campaign of other people, he added.
The MLA also strongly refuted the charges of opening fire from his license gun and clarified that he does not possess any license gun.