Attack on Imagi Meira convenor's residence draws condemnations
Don't intimidate us call raised
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 21 2024: A shooting last night at the residence of Imagi Meira convenor Thokchom Sujata has courted widespread condemnations from many sections.

Bike-borne assailants had fired at the residence of Th Sujata at Singjamei Thokchom Leikai, under Singjamei police station at around 10 pm yesterday.

While the shooting is believed to be a reaction to a press meet held on April 20 where Sujata had vehemently condemned incidents of shooting, and election malpractices by unknown armed persons during the elections on April 19, police are yet to identify the assailants and cause arrests.

Vehemently condemning the shooting last night, a sit-in demonstration was held at the locality today.

Attack on Imagi Meira convenor's residence draws condemnations

During the sit-in, Sujata condemned the unknown persons shooting at her residence, and said they [the unknown persons] could have approached her openly and shared their grievances instead of resorting to violence and intimidating her.

Approaching her openly and talking to her about their grievances could benefit all parties, she said.

"Like building a mafia gang for elections, it appears many youngsters have been given arms and misled to carry out unwanted incidents.

This is unfortunate," Sujata said.

The violent incidents that have occurred could damage social culture and tradition.

This needs to be faced collectively by the people.

The Government must also take up measures to curb such unwanted incidents, she added.

Condemning the shooting at Sujata's residence and the violence during polls, Imagi Meira coordinator Pukhrambam Ranibala said all individuals and groups concerned shouldn't further intimidate and cause fear to the public.

"If the mothers are made to cry, then their tears would make the future road of the sons dark," she said.

Kakching Apunba Nupi Lup has also condemned the shooting at the residence of Th Sujata and unknown persons physically assaulting a woman during the poll hours on April 19. Since May 3 last year, mothers have been spending nights on the roads guarding "our sons" .

However, due to the series of attacks on such mothers, "our strength and morale have been greatly affected".

The mothers are starting to lose faith in their sons, said the Lup's convenor Baby, speaking to media persons at Kakching Lamkhai.

In a separate press meet held at Kakching today, Langsai Thouna said it condemns the unknown armed persons threatening "mothers" and it wouldn't further tolerate it.

"Since the conflict started in Manipur, the mothers have been here for the sons who have come out to protect the motherland.

Being armed, some have become emboldened and threatened the mothers during the elections.

This must stop.

If such attacks on the mothers continue, Langsai Thouna will not remain silent," said Langsai Thouna convenor Kshetri Rajiv.

Sensing elections may bring "enmity among ourselves" amid the conflict, Rajiv said Langsai Thouna had urged authorities concerned to hold the elections after the conflict subsided.

Langsai Thouna had also organised a bike rally under the banner "No election during war".

Despite the popular appeal of the people, the elections were held "forcibly", Rajiv said, identifying the ill-timed elections as one of the reasons for the unwanted incidents that have taken place.

The Langsai Thouna convenor, however, said no one must interfere and violate the voting rights of another person.

"Those who want to participate in the elections must be allowed to participate freely.

Those who don't wish to participate in the elections must not be forced upon to participate.

People must be allowed to choose their own candidates and cast their votes without intimidation.

No one should violate the voting rights of a person," Rajiv said.

He urged and warned all concerned against further intimidating and attacking the "mothers" .