NPP allege threats from militant groups

Imphal: National People’s Party (NPP) alleged on Tuesday that its candidates and workers were being attacked and threatened by cadres of several militant groups. The party has also lodged complains to Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Manipur, as well as to the Election Commission of India (ECI). 
A statement of the media and communication cell of the NPP mentioned that militant outfits have threatened their candidates in different constituencies and have openly come out to support opponent candidates.

It pointed out that in Tipaimukh constituency, underground cadres are moving around with arms intimidating the voters and village chiefs to vote for certain candidates. The NPP also alleged that militants are also threatening its workers and village chief to support a certain candidate in Tengnoupal constituency. 

In Tamenglong constituency, according to the NPP, militants are also asking people to vote for certain candidates. Militants warned NPP party workers with dire consequences, the statement further alleged. 
“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 statement informed. The NPP alleged that the ongoing situation is an attempt to jeopardize the conduct of peaceful, free and fair election in the state.

The NPP said it believes in the democratic process, while urging the ECI to ensure that the election in the state of Manipur is conducted in a free and fair manner. “If the ongoing situation is allowed to prevail, where underground outfits are moving around openly with arms, the electorates will fear and would not come out to vote, which will directly hamper the conduct of elections,” NPP stated. The statement further urged the authorities to put all underground groups under Suspension of Operation (SoO) in their respective camps and recover arms from their possessions. 

“We would also like to urge that all constituencies, which has presences of undergrounds be declared ‘most sensitive’ and additional security is provided in the constituencies for conduct of fair election process.

The NPP also demanded that adequate security cover to the party candidates, who are contesting the election from different constituencies. 

NNN