Post poll scenario turns weird
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 10 2011: Allegations and counter allegations of practising sorcery among different camps in the just concluded Nagar Panchayat elections have resulted in tense situations at Lamlai in Imphal East district and Wangoi in Imphal West district.

In Lamlai, the row involved a Congress candidate and a CPI candidate who contested in Lamlai Nagar Panchayat Ward No 9. Both the camps have been accusing each other of indulging in sorcery to ensure their victory.

CPI candidate Takhelmayum Ibeyaima won the election after a keen contest with Congress candidate Irom Ibemcha.

The defeated camp has been alleging that Ibeyaima took urine from seven bachelors and seven maidens and sprinkled the same at Ibemcha's house.

Though parents of some of these bachelors and maidens confirmed that Ibeyaima took their urine, none could say that Ibeyaima sprinkled the bodily discharge at Ibemcha's house.

In response, Ibemcha collected images of seven bachelors and seven maidens and set them afire as part of the rituals and rites of a sorcery .

Worried over Ibemcha's act of sorcery, parents of the bachelors and maidens whose images were set afire went to Ibemcha's house and requested to withdraw her black magic.

But Ibemcha paid little heed.

This resulted in a tense situation in the area.

In subsequent development, the villagers held a meeting today and resolved to banish Ibeyaima and her family from the locality in case they do not come forward and tender an apology by January 12 .

On the other hand, one Thounaojam Purnimashi who is a neighbour to defeated Congress candidate Konthoujam Robindro was paraded before the public on the charge of practising sorcery against Robindro.

Robindro contested in Wangoi Nagar Panchayat Ward No 5 .

Although a complaint was filed at Wangoi police station against the humiliating act, police have not taken up any action, Purnimashi said during a press conference at Manipur Press Club here today.

Driven by an unfounded notion that Congress candidate Robindro lost the election due to sorcery practised by Purnimashi, the woman was paraded around Wangoi Bazar on January 8 forcing her to hold a Congress flag and shout that the Congress candidate had won.

She was also caned while parading all around, Purnimashi said.

She further appealed to police and all relevant authorities to find out the truth and punish the guilty for the sake of justice.

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