Suspected IM cadres try to abduct NEIDP candidate Ashang Kasar
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 07 2019: In a blow to free and fair election, suspected NSCN-IM cadres allegedly attempted to abduct NEIDP candidate for Outer Manipur Parliamentary election, Ashang Kasar, while he was campaigning for the coming election at Senapati Bazar.

Speaking to media persons at NEIDP office at Sagolband Tera Sapam Leirak yesterday, Ashang Kasar informed that yesterday, a public meeting was held at one of the community halls at Senapati bazar which was attended by many village chiefs and people and added that while the programme was underway, one David Choro, who is a former president of ANSAM, came to the spot with some individuals and sat at the back of the gathering.

Ashang continued that David left after sometime and not long after, a group of youth came and climbed up the stage while he was talking and warned him against continuing further with the meeting.

Alleging that the individuals also used offensive words, the NEIDP Outer candidate conveyed that the youth also began asking who gave permission for the programme to be held at the community hall.

Ashang claimed that initially he thought it was all just some drunken antics and misunderstanding and as such he continued with his speech.

He further claimed that after some time the youth asked him what party he was in and when he told them that he was in NEIDP, they began threatening him against continuing further and even tried to lead him away by pulling him by his arms.

Ashang continued that owing to the developing situation, the programme was cut short and he began to leave but the same people were waiting for him outside the community hall and they allegedly attempted to take him away again.

However, timely intervention from the security escorts and the party supporters present in the area, prevented the situation from escalating any further, he added.

The Senapati SP was duly informed and requested for arranging safe escort till Kangpokpi, but instead of taking the matter seriously, the SP kept questioning whether proper permission was sought for organising the event in Senapati bazar, he alleged.

Claiming further that the SP left him hurriedly saying that there was a meeting to attend to, Ashang Kasar said that it is extremely disappointing to witness such acts of threats and intimidation from various armed groups, including NSCN-IM, in the hill areas and appealed to all those concerned not to resort to such acts in a democratic country.

The NEIDP candidate then alleged that the party has received many phone calls informing that the NSCN-IM cadres were going from village to village and warning people not to vote for the party.

He added that over and above this, there are also reports of village chiefs, youth and village authorities being given letters warning them against voting for any other political parties other than the one specified by the outfit or else face the consequences.

Stating that such antics will not bring true victory and success, he appealed to one and all to vote in a free and fair manner and exercise one's right to vote for the most deserving candidate of his or her choice.

Ashang continued that it is high time for the people to teach a befitting lesson to NPF for allegedly using armed outfits to carry out threats and intimidation during times of election and added that he will file a complaint regarding the incident at Senapati bazar to the Election Commission of India.

He then questioned why the State Government is also keeping mum on such undemocratic incidents and urged the authority concerned to deploy ample number of Central armed forces in the hill based polling stations of the State.

On the other hand, NEIDP State president and former MLA Ngairangbam Bijoy strongly condemned the incident and conveyed that despite tall claims of India being a democratic country, such undemocratic and alarming actions against NEIDP candidate Ashang Kashar by suspected NSCN-IM cadres, is gravely shocking.

Bijoy further expressed disappointment at the alleged negligent attitude shown by the Senapati SP when the NEIDP candidate complained about the incident, adding that NEIDP will send a written complaint to ECI at the earliest.

Speaking to the media persons, NEIDP Central Working Committee president Narengbam Samarjit also condemned the incident vehemently.

NEIDP was established with the aim of strengthening regionalism and bringing development for the people of the North East region, he added.

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