Sticks for 'feast'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 26 2017: The victims who were allegedly beaten by BJP women supporters of Keinou Thongkha Mamang Leikai under Oinam A/C have clarified that they are innocent and that they did not organise any election feast.

Speaking to media persons, Ngangom Lukhoi and Naorem Deben of Keinou Thongkha Makha Leikai said that on February 24, at around 7 pm, they along with two others had a meal at Lukhoi's residence after spending the day working on the fish farm.

As they were eating, women supporters of the BJP candidate surrounded his house and accused them of organising an election feast.

When the victims denied the allegations and clarified that they were simply having a meal together, the womenfolk held them and forced them to accept that they were organising an election feast, refusing to let go until they admitted the allegation.

The two individuals clarified that they have not taken any money from the MLA to organise a feast.

N Pakchou from Keinou Thongkhak and S Saratchandra from Yumnam Khunou claimed that they had gone to the place to have a meal after their work in the fish farm was finished.

Pakchou said, "I had around Rs 2300 in my pocket of which Rs 1000 was for marup and another 1000 was for paying my niece's school fees along with some changes" .

"When we reached Keinou Panthoibi Lampak, we were stopped by some people, interrogated and later beaten and forced to admit that we were giving money related to the election", he said adding that they had to admit the false allegation when they could not handle the pain anymore. Congress candidate and MLA, Dr I Ibohalbi said, "The victims were simply having a meal after a hard day's work.

It was not like election feast which have many women and children participating in it" .

It is unfortunate that the women folks are spreading rumours which involve myself giving funds to organise election feasts, he said pointing out that the involved parties had even snatched the small amount of Rs 2300 which the victim had on him.

Ibohalbi further clarified that he did not give any money to organise any feast.

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