IMPHAL, May 23: Khurai MLA Dr Ng Bijoy has strongly refuted the allegation levelled against him that he had slapped an individual yesterday following an argument over distribution of relief materials for flood control in his constituency.
Giving his clarification to media persons at his residence today, the MLA recounted that residents of Lai Puthiba area requested him to make provision for bamboo mats and other materials for strengthening the embankment of Imphal river and prevent imminent breaches due to the strong water current. Further, he claimed he had approached the concerned IFCD office to provided material for repairing the riverbanks in Khurai.
According to Dr Bijoy, in reciprocation to the demand from the public of Lai Puthiba, five bamboo-mats received from IFC department were transported to the area but the persons transporting the materials were unable to deliver the mats as some persons in highly inebriated state restricted them from entering.
Soon, the conversation escalated into a full blown argument between the two parties and they ended up quarrelling with each other, the MLA admitted. However he maintained that the charge that he assaulted ‘a state secretary of BJP, L Susindro alias Yaima’, during the quarrel was baseless and unfortunate.
He asserted that the quarrel was a result of the provocations by the persons intoxicated with liquor and hindrances they provided to volunteers send by him to help the local residents in preventing possible flooding of the area. It is very unfortunate that some people are trying to take political mileage even in the face of such natural calamity, he said, further adding that their attempts were rendered futile and volunteers are working in full swing with the help of two JCBs and seven dipper trucks in controlling the rising water of the river.