Pre-poll violence rocks Andro Assembly Constituency
Father of NPP candidate injured in shooting
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 19 2022: In a revolting poll related violence, father of NPP candidate in Andro AC Lourembam Sanjoy, L Shyamjai sustained injuries when a bullet fired by unknown miscreants hit him.

He has been admitted to Shija Hospital.

Reportedly, the incident took place last night at around 9.30 at Yairipok Yambem.

NPP National president and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has condemned the attack.

Speaking to media persons after visiting the injured father at Shija Hospital, Sangma said that he will ensure that necessary action is taken against the perpetrators and added that he will meet the Chief Electoral Officer in this regard.

"The incident that happened last night is very unfortunate.

This simply reflects the frustration of certain individuals.

This is not acceptable at all.

And we in politics and in democracy have always believed in expressing through speeches and our votes but this kind of behaviour, this kind of action is completely unacceptable," said Sangma.

Pre-poll violence rocks Andro Assembly Constituency

"We will be meeting the Chief Electoral Officer today at 3.30 pm and will lodge our deep concern over the situation which is prevailing in this election.

As far as I remember, this is my fifth election in Manipur but I have not seen this level of violence.

I have been campaigning since 2002 but I have not seen this kind of violence," added Sangma.

"The Government and the Election Commission should take action against this, cognizance against this.

Take necessary action so that a free and fair election can take place.

We will ensure that we take this up at the highest level including MHA as well as the Chief Election Commission of India.

We will ensure that necessary action is taken against the people who have done this kind of act," he further said.

Speaking to media persons at his residence at Yairipok today, L Sanjoy strongly condemned the shooting allegedly committed by BJP workers in the Constituency.

Claiming that BJP workers going on the offensive with force against him and his supporters is not new, he urged the authority concerned to look into the matter to ensure free and fair election.

He also appealed to all concerned to increase the strength of his escort in view of the law and order situation in Andro AC.

One Md Kamaluddin from Changamdabi Makha Leikai claimed that Shyamjai was intentionally targeted by a group of people while he was taking a rest after dinner near Yambem PHC.

At the time of the incident, L Sanjoy was at Imphal with NPP National president Conrad K Sangma, he continued and added that some unknown miscreants again shot several rounds at the escort of Sanjoy at Yairipok during his return journey to attend to his father's medical needs.

The injured father was taken to Shija Hospital at around 2 am.

Meanwhile, five vehicles belonging to BJP supporters were vandalised at Yairipok Tulihal by the locals for allegedly threatening the people there.

Speaking to the media, one Md Rahimuddin from Yairipok Tulihal said that the offence was carried out by a group of BJP supporters coming in over 20 vehicles including two VDF personnel led by the PSO of ex MLA Th Shyamkumar at around 10.30 pm yesterday.

Md Rahimuddin claimed that the group of BJP supporters not only tore the flags of other political parties but also intimidated the passers-by by parking their vehicles at Tulihal Water Supply.

Claiming the locals went out after hearing sounds of firing, he claimed that some of the BJP supporters vanished from the site after shooting into the crowd.

The locals damaged at least five vehicles which were left behind by the group, he added.

Among the group there is a police personnel under whom a case is pending for firing during a rally in 2021, he claimed and urged the authorities concerned to arrest all the perpetrators.

It is reported that DGP P Doungel rushed to the site and taken stock of the situation.

He urged all to practise caution and follow the guidelines of the Election Commission while campaigning.