Cong camps attacked, vehicles damaged
Source: Chronicle News Service

Kakching, March 03 2022: Several vehicles belonging to supporters of INC candidate for Sugnu AC Kangujam Ranjit were destroyed when large number of supporters of BJP candidate of the constituency Mayanglamabam Binod attacked a Congress camp opened at the residence of one Thingnam Rishikesh of Kakching Khunou.

According to reports, the incident that occurred Wednesday at about 10.30 pm left at least 12 vehicles including four four-wheelers belonging to Congress workers damaged as also several properties including loudspeaker set, window panes, tables and others.

Police fired tear gas shells to control the situation and briefly detained three Congress workers and 25 BJP workers.

According to Congress supporter Thingnam Premkumar, some BJP workers started creating trouble near a Congress camp opened at the residence of Thingnam Rishikesh, who is ex-councillor of Kakching Khunou Municipal Council, since 9pm Wednesday.

During the time, local elders who supported Congress candidate including Rishikesh were at the Serou residence of INC candidate K Ranjit.

As BJP supporters continued to create trouble and even used loudspeakers inciting violence, some local youth intervened to maintain order but resulted into a heated argument between the two sides.

BJP supporters then brought out rod and other dangerous weapons from their vehicles and attempted to target the local youth.

However, some local elders brought the youth to the Congress camp located nearby.

After the matter subsided, a large number of BJP supporter stormed Congress camp at about 10.30pm and started destroying vehicles parked near the gate of Rishikesh's house.

At the same time, elderly local Congress supporters who went to K Ranjit's residence returned to Rishikesh's place but BJP supporters damaged two Maruti Gypsy, one Bolero and one Santro car.

As BJP supporters' attack was too intense, Congress supporters hid at safe places.

The attackers then entered Rishikesh's house and started destroying several household properties.

After around one hour, a police team arrived and controlled the situation by firing tear gas shells, Premkumar said and strongly condemned excessive action of BJP supporters.

He then appealed to the ECI to look into the matter seriously and take necessary action to punish all those involved in the attack.

According to Rishikesh's mother Thoibi, she and her daughter-in-law along with her grandchildren hid inside toilet to save their lives from the attackers.

Another report said that BJP supporters not only attacked the Congress camp at Rishikesh's residence butalso targeted several Congress camps opened at Kakching Khunou.

INC candidate MLA Ranjit visited Kakching Khunou early Thursday morning and inspected the site where BJP supporters damaged vehicles and other properties.

MLA Ranjit told media persons that excessive action of BJP supporters was against democratic norms and no such election related violence occurred in Sugnu AC since he became representative of people of the constituency.

The excessive action of BJP candidate Binod's supporters was indeed to the extent of taking lives of innocent people, he said adding that the attack stopped only when Kakching SP was informed and police rushed to the site.

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