Imphal, Feb 19: In continued pre-poll violence in Manipur ahead of the 1st phase of Assembly polls on February 28, a National People’s Party (NPP) candidate’s father was shot at and injured by suspected militants on Friday night.
NPP candidate from Andro, L Sanjoy Singh’s father Shamjai Singh was shot at when he along with Sanjoy and some supporters were having an election-related meeting at Yairipok Yambem Leikai in Imphal East district at around 9.30 pm.
Unidentified assailants opened fire and the candidate’s father was hit on the right shoulder.
NPP national president and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma met the injured person at a hospital here during the day and strongly condemned the incident.
“This is a very unfortunate incident, and it reflects the frustration of certain individuals. We will meet the Chief Electoral Officer and express our concern over the prevailing situation this election. I have been campaigning in Manipur since 2002, and I have never seen such extreme poll violence. This has to stop,” Sangma told reporters.
Anguished that our candidate, Sh. L. Sanjoy Singh’s father, Sh. Shamjai Singh was shot & injured in a campaign programme at Yairipok Yambem Leikai. These incidents are tarnishing the sacred essence of our democracy. I urge ECI to see into these developments in #Manipur. pic.twitter.com/EHkSy9Mfvq
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) February 19, 2022
Manipur deputy chief minister Y Joykumar Singh said that more such incidents have taken place, and poll violence has become a norm. “The current trend suggests that the election is not going to be free and fair. Hence, we would demand additional deployment of paramilitary forces,” he said.
Asserting that the NPP will win 20 seats in the state, Singh said that such attacks show that the party is growing stronger.
Later, Sangma met the Chief Electoral Officer of Manipur and apprised him of the incident and series of other incidents against the party candidates.
Apprised the Chief Electoral Officer of Manipur about the attack on our candidate’s father last night & on the series of incidents that took place around Manipur causing great concern for the safety of our candidates & the people. pic.twitter.com/hW5pAV0KbX
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) February 19, 2022
Elections to the 60-member assembly will take place in two phases on February 28 and March 5. Votes will be counted on March 10.
The incident comes just days after the NPP complained to the Election Commission (EC) that the party workers were being intimidated by some militant organisations which have signed separate suspension of operating agreements and sought adequate security for its candidates in Manipur.
Earlier, the party had also stated that one of its candidates in the hill district of Churachandpur failed to file his nomination as the militants had warned him against contesting.
