At least four such incidents have been reported from different assembly constituencies in the last 24 hours leaving many injured.
TFM Desk
As the voting day nears for the first phase of the elections to the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly, poll related violent incidents have also spiked. In the last 24 hours (till Thursday), at least four such incidents have been reported from different assembly constituencies.
In the wee hours of Thursday, an IED exploded at the gate of the residence of NPP candidate for Khurai AC, Laitonjam Jayananda at Khurai Konsam Leikai. As per reports, no one was injured except some damages to the gate. Jayananda’s women supporters staged a sit-in on Thursday condemning the incident.
On the other hand, an individual sustained gunshot injuries on Wednesday night. As per reports, one Md Shah Uddin (44) of Kiyamgei Muslim Takhok Makha, along with his brother were returning to his home when they were purportedly thrashed by supporters of NPP candidate of Keirao AC Alhaj Mohd. Nasiruddin Khan.
Two other women of the locality also sustained injuries when they tried to pacify the scuffle. The victim has been admitted at Raj Medicity, Imphal.
Meanwhile, some supporters of independent candidate of Lilong AC Dr Irshad Hussain sustained injuries when supporters of incumbent BJP MLA Y Antas Khan disrupted a public meeting of Dr Irshad Khan at Lilong Haoreibi Makha Leikai by allegedly pelting stones. Some of the victims who were seriously injured have been treated at a private hospital, as per reports.
On the other hand, tension arose between supporters of JD (U) candidate for Yaiskul AC Th Brinda and those of incumbent BJP MLA Thokchom Satyabrata, when the former went near the residence of the latter for door-to-door canvassing on Thursday.
According to Brinda, she along with her supporters went to Brahmapur Aribam Leikai for door-to-door campaigning as part of her campaign to cover all the areas under Yaiskul AC.
“But when we entered a lane near the residence of the sitting BJP MLA, some of his supporters came out and shouted against us, threatening us not to enter the area,” she told media persons after the incident.
Brinda maintained that it was unfortunate that such an incident had occurred near the residence of the sitting MLA, who is also the law minister of the state government, despite the call for free and fair election from various sections of the society.
Manipur goes to poll on February 28 and March 5, and the results will be declared on March 10.