New Delhi, Feb 8: The National People’s Party (NPP) has urged the authorities to put all underground groups in Manipur under SOO in their respective camps and recover arms from their possession due to alleged ongoing intimidation and abuse in a targeted manner by several militant outfits in Manipur against NPP candidates in different constituencies ahead of the Manipur Assembly elections.
In a press statement issued by the party’s Media & Communication Cell on Tuesday, the party also urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to declare all constituencies having presences of underground groups (UG) be declared ‘Most Sensitive’ and additional security be provided in the constituencies for conduct of fair election process.
NPP also sought for adequate security cover for its candidates contesting the election from different parts of the State. It further stated that enough security cover should be provided to its sitting MLAs Y. Erabot Singh from Wangkhei AC, which has been reduced.
It said outfits, namely., KNF-MC, KNF-Z, UKLF, KNA, HPC (D) have openly come out in blatant support of NPP’s opponent’s candidates from BJP and NPF.
“In 55-Tipaimukh AC, the cadres of militant outfits HPC (D) is moving around with arms intimidating the voters and village chiefs to vote for BJP candidates. The underground group like KNA and UKLF under Suspension of Operation (SOO) is threatening our party workers and village chief to support BJP candidate Shri. Letpao Haokip at 42 – Tengnoupal AC.”
“At Tamenglong constituency, outfits under SOO are campaigning strongly for NPF and BJP candidates. The outfit has warned our party workers with dire consequences.”
“On February 6, the KNF-MC and KNF-Z leaders Paokholen Haokip, Jangkhonlum Haokip and Lunmang Haokip have threatened our workers and village chief to vote for BJP candidate Shri. Letzamang Haokip of 57-Henglep AC. The outfit members had halted six women NPP workers and two drivers at Lamden Kuki village and threatened to shoot them if they campaign for NPP candidate,” the press statement said.
It also mentioned that the party has complained about the incidents of attacks and threats issued to its candidates to Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur State and to Election Commission of India, adding that the ongoing situation is “an attempt to jeopardise the conduct of peaceful, free and fair election in the State of Manipur.”
It further asserted that if the ongoing situation is allowed to prevail, where militant and underground outfits are moving around openly with arms, the electorates will fear and would not come out to vote, which will directly hamper the conduct of elections.
“National People’s Party believes in the democratic process and would like to urge the Election Commission of India to ensure that the election in the State of Manipur is conducted in a free and fair manner,” it added.
