Cong decries violence against its supporters
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 17 2022: Going all out against the alleged act of violence and intimidation of Congress candidates and workers in six Assembly Constituencies, senior election observer deputed by the AICC for Manipur, Jairam Ramesh today that such use of muscle power clearly reflects that the Chief Minister himself and the BJP know that they are not coming back to power after the election.

Speaking to reporters at Congress Bhavan today, Jairam Ramesh said that yesterday a team of Congress leaders had met the Chief Electoral Officer and highlighted to him that the acts of violence and intimidation perpetrated against the Congress candidates and their supporters have been viewed seriously by the AICC.

Cong decries violence against its supporters

The AICC observer alleged that Congress candidates and supporters at six Assembly Constituencies, namely Heirok, Mayang Imphal, Saikul, Kangpokpi, Ukhrul and Khundrakpam have been threatened and assaulted.

He said that there have been 14 instances of violence and intimidations in the said ACs and strongly condemned the unbridled use of violence.

The coming election, which is just a few days away, will not be free and fair at all, said Jairam Ramesh and added that while the flag hoisting ceremony of Congress candidate in Saikul AC Lhingkim Haokip was held at her Heingang residence on February 14 rival supporters rained stones and other projectiles to disrupt the function.

Citing that other ACs too are not free from the atmosphere of fear and intimidations, he urged the concerned to declare Ukhrul AC, Heirok AC and Mayang Imphal AC as hyper sensitive Constituencies.

The law and order situation under the BJP regime has collapsed even as the election is approaching fast, said Jairam Ramesh and urged the CEO to replace the State forces with CRPF and other para-military personnel.

The way Congress candidates and their supporters have been targeted and assaulted and intimidated is a clear indication that the Chief Minister himself and the BJP are sure that they would not return to power, alleged the AICC observer further.

It is also a clear indication that the saffron party no longer enjoys the confidence and trust of the people, he added.

Addressing the media, Lhingkim Haokip who was also present at the media briefing said that even her children were assaulted when her flag hoisting programme was disrupted at her residence at Heingang on February 14 .

'How can a candidate be barred from pasting election related material at her own residence ?' she countered.

Manipur in charge of the Congress Bhakta Charan Das was also present at the press conference.