ADC polls Dy CM points finger at NSCN (IM)
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 03 2015 : Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam has said that the recently concluded ADC election could not be held in a free and fair manner as the Centre had failed to respond to State Government's plea to rein in the cadres of NSCN (IM) and its subordinate smaller outfits during the election.

Speaking to reporters at Congress Bhavan, Gaikhangam said that sensing possible disturbances from NSCN (IM), the State Government requested the Centre to ask the outfit to keep their cadres inside their designated camps till the completion of poll process.

However, the recently concluded ADC election could not be held in a free and fair manner as many underground elements including NSCN (IM) cadres constantly intimidated candidates, political leaders, workers and voters.

It was really unfortunate that NSCN (IM) cadres threatened the voters to kill them if they do not support and vote for NPF candidates, Gaikhangam said.

He further said that it is the responsibility of the Centre to rein in NSCN (IM) cadres and instruct them to abide by the ground rules of the ceasefire agreement.

Maintaining that it is a well known fact to the people of both hill and valley that NPF is supported by NSCN (IM), Gaikhangam said that the outfit worked hard in favour of NPF candidates.

Saying that BJP would register win only in one or two DCCs, Gaikhangam said that the party would never be able to form the Council in any ADC.

In Khoupum area, the Deputy Chief Minister said, ZUF cadres in connivance with BJP workers not only intimadated voters but also opened fire and damaged vehicles.

He further said that many election agents, who have been abducted by ZUF cadres from the area, are yet to be released.

Taking a further dig at the BJP, Gaikhangam said that the party created a din during making many illogical statements.

He further said that BJP and NPF had the common agenda of defeating Congress candidates at some areas.

Saying that the two parties seem to have a secret understanding to jointly form the Council in some ADCs, Gaikhangam alleged that the two parties would raise issues which are detrimental to the interest of the State if they join hands.

Claiming that people's faith in Congress is still intact, Gaikhangam said that the party would form the Council in at least four ADCs of the six ADCs.

The party could have formed Council in all the six ADCs if the election was held without any intimidation, he said.

Gaikhangam said that many Congress workers were injured in different election related violent incidents while many others are yet to be released by their abductors.

Saying that Congress became a victim in the recently concluded ADC election, Gaikhangam said that NPF created the situation for repolling in many areas.

He further said that there are even instances of conducting polls a day in advance in some Kuki areas.

As such, there is need for introducing a rule by the Election Commission to check voting en-masse by armed UG cadres by intimidating voters.

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