IMPHAL, Jan 29: Evidences of the involvement of NSCN (IM) cadres using their full resources to muscle in on getting representatives of the Naga Peoples’ Front (NPF) elected at the just concluded 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly polls have been reported.
Briefing mediapersons at Manipur Press Club today, A Bungson who is the election agent of 41 Chandel AC independent candidate SS Olish stated that five persons including three women had been abducted by cadres of the NSCN (IM). The persons were also present at the press meet and showed tell-tale scars of brutalization by the NSCN (IM) cadres.
One of the victims, Alen (name changed) stated that five of them came from Toupokpi of Chakpikarong sub-division in a Bolero jeep (MN04A/5616) on January 27 to meet family members at Nungpan village. When they arrived at a house, a gypsy pulled up at the gate and the five of them were kept under arrest by the persons who identified themselves as NSCN (IM) cadres.
They were later transported to another location where they were kept for some time, later they were beaten up by the cadres on charges of campaigning for the independent candidate SS Olish. The cadres reprimanded them and ordered them that they should endorse the NPF which is supported by the NSCN (IM). Alen further stated that they were kept under constant vigil, but following some difference of opinions amongst the cadres, those guarding them asked them to flee from the spot. The five of them fled and arrived at a safe location at about 2 am today.
“ We have apprehension of going back home and feel threatened, this is not a free and fair election, we have been abducted and beaten up for trying to exercise our democratic rights. We demand intervention from the concerned government representatives in this regard and for fair conduct of polls”, he said.
Demanding that unfair means and force have been used in many polling stations in the constituency, election agent A Bungson further stated that one ST Thungnoh, who is a NSCN (IM) cadre manipulated the voting at the polling station of Chandel 41/16 by sitting near the EVM machine and making sure that all polls were awarded to the NPF.
Similarly, at polling station 41/23 of Modi Primary School, three persons vandalized the EVM and votes were not cast, the agents aside of the NPF were driven out from the polling station.
Further, in another incident, an NSCN (IM) cadre LK Binishing assaulted a woman voter at 41/31 station at Larong identified as SK Sangpen, 50, who is presently being treated at RIMS hospital for severe head injury.
Following such incidents of using muscle power by the NSCN (IM) cadres in support of the NPF candidate, the untoward matters had been reported to the CEO and the ECI yesterday. It was also learned that three gypsy vehicles of a particular department of Tengnoupal were forcibly used by the NPF supporters.
Decrying the matter, the victims and the public of the area demanded that repolls should be conducted in at least 23 stations and a judicial inquiry should also be initiated in the Tanmpi incident in which seven individuals were killed.
In another separate incident, a Congress worker of 45 Chingai AC candidate NK Shimray of Ukhrul district has been shot at by suspected NSCN (IM) cadres. Chinalong, 27, son of Ottson of Chingai sub-division has been shot by armed persons today at about 9.45 am. The incident took place at Karoktang Street as the victim was whisked away by three unknown persons and later shot him. He sustained five bullet wound in both legs and arms. The persons accompanying the victim alleged that the attack might have been the handiwork of NSCN (IM) cadres.
