NPF counter charges, pleas for re-poll in 13 P/Ss in Chandel
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network

Imphal, January 31, 2012: The Naga People's Front (NPF), Chandel Divisional Unit today sought the intervention of the concerned Returning Officer under Section 58 and 58 A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 for re-poll in at least 13 polling stations of the district, which went to poll on January 28. Retorting on a news report published in one of the Imphal based local dailies yesterday under the caption, 'NSCN-IM rules in almost all the polling stations in 41-Chandel Constituency,' the NPF Chandel unit said the NPF had not sought the support of any armed groups during the election process, but upholding the motto of the party 'Fide Non Armis,' it sought the support of the general public and hence the allegation made by election agent of SS Olish is aimed at tarnishing the clean image of the party and unwarrantedly dragging in the NSCN-IM cadres with sole intention to create confusion and as an attempt to derail the peace process.

SS Olish, an Independent candidate, and her election agent, Angam Bungsong aka A Bungsong visited polling stations 41/03, 41/02, 41/10, 41/16, 41/20 and 41/23 on the polling day and no untoward incident happened to them, the Chandel unit NPF said, adding that however, SS Olish and her security escort team forcibly entered the 41/16 polling booth and tried to damage the EVM.

She also threatened the women voters who were waiting to cast their votes in the said polling stations that she even ordered the escort personnel to shoot the electors, NPF charged.

It also alleged that the incident that took place at 41/40 Tampi polling station on the polling day was due to the provocation caused by a CRPF jawan manning there, saying when a voter tried to snatch the EVM, the CRPF jawan guarding at the door of the booth prevented the man from doing so which resulted in a fight.

Amidst the violent standoff, other jawans outside the booth started firing into the room, killing seven people, including three polling officials, one CRPF jawan and three civilians.

NPF Chandel unit and its candidate also offered condolence to the bereaved families of the victims who died in the indiscriminate firing incident.

In 42/9 polling station, nine voters were physically assaulted by 42 Assam Rifles attached to 26 Sector.

Moreover, two inner agents of NPF for 42/28 polling station were also abducted, detained, blindfolded and beaten up black and blue for three days and later released after the election was over, it further alleged.

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