Shillong, Feb 9: National People’s Party (NPP) national president and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday said he would seek the Government of India’s intervention to provide proper security to the party candidates who are under threat in Manipur.
Speaking to media persons, Sangma said, “We will definitely take up the matter and try to resolve these issues and try to find ways to ensure that free and fair elections take place and if there are concerns, obviously will request Government of India to resolve this issue and provide proper security to the concerned candidates who are under threat.”
The media and communication cell of the NPP, New Delhi, in a press statement issued on Tuesday had alleged that there has been an ongoing intimidation and abuse being exercised in a targeted manner by several militant outfits in Manipur against the party and its candidates in different constituencies.
“The outfits namely.., KNF-MC, KNF-Z, UKLF, KNA, HPC (D) have openly come out in blatant support of our opponent’s candidates from BJP and NPF,” the statement has alleged.
When asked if this would affect his party’s prospects in the upcoming Manipur Assembly polls, Sangma however said it is difficult to say right now as in all constituencies, different situations that are there so one cannot say for sure but of course it does create this fear on the people and the workers which will affect the party.
“But we are hopeful that the support of the people will still remain and we are hopeful that we are going to do far better than what we did last time and we are very confident of crossing the double digit mark,” he added.
The NPP, New Delhi has also alleged that underground groups like KNA and UKLF under Suspension of Operation (SOO) are 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 campaigned for an NPP candidate.
“We have complained about the incidents of attacks and threats issued to our candidates to Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur State and to Election Commission of India. The ongoing situation is an attempt to jeopardise the conduct of peaceful, free and fair elections in the State of Manipur,” it said.
