TURA, Feb 26: The NPP candidate and Bajengdoba MLA Ponseng Marak faced a tense situation on Saturday night after campaigning ended when angry villagers numbering close to 500 people surrounded his convoy vehicle for entering a locality in Bajengdoba late in the night and suspected that he was in the area to seek votes through money and drinks.
The convoy was not allowed to proceed nor turned back as the angry crowd chanted protests demanding to know why he ventered into the locality known as Songmegam, about 10 kms from Bajengdoba block office.

Some in the crowd even shouted to damage the vehicle and burn it down while others threatened to damage it by stone pelting.

District authorities were alerted about the incident taking place and teams of election officials and security forces were rushed to the spot from Bajengdoba police station.

“We were informed about the incident and at the same time the Expenditure Observer who is part of the Central Observer team deputed by the Election Commission of India was in the area. He arrived at the site and personally inspected the vehicles but found no cash or any inducements inside. Nevertheless, we have ordered an enquiry into the whole episode according to election guidelines,” informed District Returning Officer R P Marak to Hub News.

The NPP candidate and his followers who were left traumatized by the incident were allowed to leave the area in the presence of the election teams.