IMPHAL, November 20: The BJP Manipur has submitted a memorandum to the Union Home Minister, Election Commission of India and the government of Manipur to provide adequate security force for smooth, free and fair polling during November 21 bye-election, said BJP Manipur president Th Chaoba reacting to the firing incident at Thongju Constituency which left a 2-year old injured.
Lamenting the incident, Manipur BJP in charge Prahlad Singh Patel had also said that the Chief Minister should tender apology to the people of the State for encouraging the gun culture.
Meanwhile, in ahurriedly called press conference this evening, Congress candidate Bijoy Koijam also condemned the incident and said he has urged the Home department to investigate in the incident and added that the charges of the rival party are all baseless.
BJP Manipur president Chaoba accompanied by Prahlad Singh Patel among others later visited Shija Hospital where the injured infant is lodged.
Meanwhile, speaking to media persons before the visit, Choaba said the firing incident is an attempt to murder the father of the infant who is a BJP worker.
Following the attempt, the BJP suspect if tomorrow`™s election will be free and fair, though election observers have directed that no outsiders will be allowed to enter the two constituencies during the polling, he said.
He said heavy security cover of para-military forces has also been deployed for the free and fair conduct of the election.
Amidst all these, the firing incident is really unfortunate, he said.
It is the murder of democracy and a clear indication of the failure of law and order under the Congress government, Chaoba claimed.
Meanwhile, during the visit to the hospital, Prahlad Patel said the gun culture witnessed in the State is criminalisation of politics.
He said he will request the ECI to strictly check if para military forces are placed within 100 meters range of all polling stations during the polls tomorrow.
He further demanded the local administration to take the incident seriously.