Manipur News

IMPHAL, Jan 29: Protesting against post-poll violence at Tentha, the CPI Thoubal District Council has called for a general strike in Thoubal district on January 30 from 5 am to 5 pm.

Addressing media persons at CPI party office, Irawat Bhawan, senior party workers led by Dr M Nara said that the post-poll violence at Tentha was an act against humanism.

Nara further stated that the party had on several occasions made their apprehension felt about the conduct of MSCP candidate Paonam Brojen.

He alleged that the party workers and supporters of the CPI had been intimidated from time to time in the run up to the general elections.

Dr Nara further said that a party worker Tongjam Ratan was stopped by MSCP workers on December 25 and badly beaten up with hockey sticks while his Bolero jeep was set ablaze.

“Despite of an FIR being lodged under a non-bailable section, there has been no action taken”, he said.

Saying that the firing incident at Tentha happened was the fall out of the public displeasure over police inaction over various incidents of intimidation to CPI workers by MSCP supporters, Nara expressed surprise at the difference in police response.

He claimed that the police have not done anything about the intimidation of party workers in Wangjing but in Tentha, they started firing without any warning shots.

Calling the police action inhuman, Nara said, “Thoubal police has failed in its duty of protecting the lives and property of the people under its jurisdiction”, Nara adding that the firing was a case of crime committed by the police. 

He further added that a JAC over the death of Moirangthem Ragini, 46, and injury of Moirangthem Medhabati,32, has been formed which would be submitting a memorandum to the Chief Minister.

Nara also added that the CPI would submit the party memorandum over the firing and subsequent casualties. He said that the general strike was being called to protest and condemn the incident in no uncertain terms and added that a magisterial inquiry should be announced and immediate action should be taken regarding the police involved in the firing incident.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/01/cpi-calls-thoubal-bandh-over-death-of-woman-in-postpoll-violence-at-wangjing/

IMPHAL, Jan 29: A team of Imphal East Police Commando arrested two  UPPK cadres,  namely Sapam Priyojit Singh (39) s/o S. Iboton Singh of Okramchuthek and Hidam Suraj  Singh (27) s/o H. Raja Singh of Uchekon Khunao near Dam from Okrmchuthek Crossing on January 27 around 3:30 pm.

On verification they disclosed they are active members of UPPK organization. Further. Hidam Suraj Singh (Sl.no 2) disclosed that he had kept concealed one Lathod launcher with one Lathod Shell at the residence of one Thongam Bishworjit Singh (40) s/o of Th. Kumar Singh a candidate of Thongju A/C in the ensuing 10th Assembly Flection 2012 and the same was seized at the instance of accused Hidam Suraj Singh (Sl.no 2) from the above mentioned place.

In another incident, a combined team of CDO/IE and 1W arrested one KYKL cadre namely Nongthombam Roshanta Singh aliasTangba (30) s/o N. Pakama Singh of  Huikap Makha Leikai, near Pukhri Achouba Mapal from Kakwa Bazar.

On verification, he disclosed that he is an active member of KYKL and presently working for the CORCOM under the command of S/S District Commander Thoubal Mr.Prem Singh. Further, he disclosed   that he had kept concealed one Hand grenade at the residence of Mr. Arambam Raj en Singh, of Chajing Mairen Khong, a candidate of Trinamul Congress of 10th Assembly Election 2012. Later on  the said hand grenade was recovered from the corridor of the house of Mr. A.Rajen Singh, at the instance of the arrestee N.Roshata Singh. Further the arrestee Mr. Nongthombam Roshanta Singh disclosed that he joined KYKL organization in the year 2008 through one Mr. Prem Singh and involved in lobbing grenades and firing to the residence of Congress candidate   and workers and extorted money from general public, govt. officials etc.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/01/police-nabs-three-militants/

IMPHAL, Jan 29: INC candidate for 47-Karong assembly constituency, DD Thaisii has alleged that normal polling procedures have been violated at various polling stations under Karong assembly constituency.

Addressing media persons at Manipur Congress Bhavan, Thaisii claimed that there was mass booth capturing by NSCN-IM cadres and called for a re-poll.

He said, “I am aware of instances where Naga People’s Front (NPF) supporters NSCN-IM intimidated voters to cast votes in favour of the NPF. The norms and guidelines laid down by the Election Commission of India that one person can cast only a single vote and that the person should be photographed were violated. There were cases in which one voter was made to vote for the NPF more than once.”

Thaisii further alleged that when his polling agents complained verbally regarding the “booth captures”, the presiding officer failed to pay attention to the complaint made by the polling agents due to threats from the NSCN-IM. “But the facts can be ascertained from the photograph records collected by the polling officials under the supervision of presiding officers. They will show that large scale of impersonation also took place forcefully by the NSCN-IM”, he said.

He further added that in case the presiding officers failed to record the photographs of the voters which is mandatory and if they cannot produce the save, it can be presumed that large scale impersonation had taken place.

Saying that 18 polling stations had witnessed intimidation and casting of votes without photographic documentation, Thaisii said that a re-poll should be held in the said locations.

He also alleged that armed cadres of NSCN-IM fired several rounds from sophisticated weapons at Koide Village on January 28 at 11 am.

Thaisii also said that INC candidate supporters, namely Z Dahrii, s/o Zozii, member of village authority, Phaibung Khullen Village Senapati and S Thoulu, s/o Sam, vice-chairman of Phaibung Khullen Village Authority were shot on the legs on January 29 at 4 am.

At the time of filing this report, the two persons were brought to Imphal for treatment of their bullet injuries. However, the treatment of the injured persons will be done at a private clinic despite RIMS being designated as a treatment and trauma centre for election related casualties.

DD Thaisii himself said, “I wanted them to have better health care facilities. They are going to private clinics for their comfort.

PK Joseph of Oinam Village who is said to have been beaten up brutally by supporters of NPF candidate on January 26 is also in the ICU of a private clinic in Imphal.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/01/thaisii-complains-of-mass-booth-capturing-by-nscnim-in-karong-ac-demands-repoll/

IMPHAL, Jan 29: Janta Dal United, Manipur has demanded the disqualification of the NPF and INC candidates of Chandel assembly constituency charging them of being propped by armed underground groups.

Speaking to media persons today at its party office, senior JD (U) members alleged that instances of booth capturing by external force had taken place at 41/59, 41/14, 41/21 and 41/22.

Lien Gangte, general secretary of JD (U) stated that 41/59 and 41/14 were captured by cadres of UKLF. “None of the inner and outer agents of JD (U) were allowed inside the polling area. We call upon the returning officer for a re-poll of these polling booths”.

He added that the party had earlier registered complaints over election code violation with Chandel SP alleging that Th Haokip, a Congress election agent had threatened a JD (U) worker, Jhangkhulon of K Sabi Village with an unlicensed gun.

Lien further said that the JD (U) condoled the demise of the people in Tampi incident and called for “full pay at one time” for the CRPF personnel and polling staff who were killed.

He added that the NPF candidate Victor Nunghon Anal has to be disqualified since he has been supported by the NSCN-IM due to which the unfortunate incident happened. The NPF should take full responsibility for the deaths at Tampi.

Lien further said that all candidates supported by UGs should be disqualified and debarred.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/01/jd-u-presses-eci-for-repoll-in-violencehit-chandel-ac/

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. 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/01/nscnim-charged-with-interferring-during-polls-in-chandel-chingai-acs/

Bhatinda/Amristar, Jan 29 (ANI): Election officials in poll-bound Punjab state on Sunday initiated the final process of elections to 117 seats in the state tomorrow.

Election commission has laid down strict guidelines this year .The polling related material has been handed over to the security forces. In sensitive Bhatinda District where election officials under special facility handed over all the polling related material to the paramilitary forces.

“We have deployed paramilitary force, videographers, micro-observers who will monitor the polling booths and would ensure whether the election process is taking place in the appropriate manner. Police officers have been provided with all the subsequent material required in the polling process. We assure the people that elections would be conducted peacefully,” said Deputy Commissioner, Bhatinda District, Kamal Kishore Yadav.

Similar arrangements were made in Amritsar where election officials handed over voting machines and ballot boxes to their officers and directed them to reach their stations on time.

Meanwhile in Uttarakhand election campaign came to an end last evening.

A total of 788 candidates are tcontesting in 70 constituencies in the state where over 63 lakh electorates are expected to exercise their franchise on Monday.

The weather, which had played a spoilsport most of the time during electioneering, has changed for the better now.

The Election Commission has taken special care to assist the high altitude poll parties, which have already left for the hilly regions.

Sleeping bags, snow boots, jackets and other necessary equipments have been provided to these polling parties.

In addition, two choppers have been put on alert to launch rescue operations in case of any emergency.

The forest officials, BRO and PWD personnel were working continuously to ensure that all roads and pathways were cleared of snow in these places to facilitate voters to reach to the polling booths.

75 companies of paramilitary forces, 6000 Home Guards from Uttar Pradesh and 2000 from Himachal Pradesh and 10,000 personnel of the state police have been deployed to ensure free and fair polls.

The ensuing polls are being viewed as an opportunity for India`s major parties to re-establish or strengthen their footholds in the country`s five major states.

Punjab and Uttarakhand, along with Uttar Pradesh and Goa would undergo assembly polls between January 30 and March 3 and the results would be declared on March 6.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/01/punjab-and-uttarakhand-set-for-assembly-polls-today/