Imagi Meira lambasts poll violence
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 20 2024: Gunmen who intimidated voters and discharged firearms yes-terday during the poll hours must be arrested within three days and punished, said Imagi Meira and Khwairamband Keithel women vendors today.

Addressing a press meet held at Manipur Press Club, Imphal, Imagi Meira convenor Th Sujata said the violence that took place yesterday during the elections proved that "they don't want people who do not support the Government to live in the State" .

Ignoring appeals not to hold the elections as the State was in deep turmoil, the polls were held yesterday 'forcibly'.

However, voters were deprived of their right to choose and cast votes for the candidates they liked, Sujata claimed.

"The Police Department and election related authorities had stated that they had taken up all the measures to conduct the polls in a free and fair manner.

But, the elections were marred with violence and unwanted incidents," she said.

Sujata said the Government should control the people who are acting against the people and their wishes in time.

The persons who had fired guns yesterday and intimidated voters must be identified and arrested within three days, she added.

If repoll is conducted in any polling station later, the whole process must be free from any unwanted incidents, she added.

In another press meet held at the Press Club, Khwairamband Keithel vendors also echoed the same demand and stated that they take the firing incidents as an attack on all "mothers" .

Asem Nirmala, a representative of the women vendors, said unknown gun wielding men intimidated voters at many places yesterday during the elections.

"The womenfolk and mothers have been in the forefront protecting our children and sharing with them whatever we have.

They should show due respect to the mothers," she said.

Nirmala called on Meira Paibis to guard all polling stations in their respective areas during the repoll.

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