Decrying the widespread incidents of reported electoral fraud, intimidation and negligence on part of the authorities concerned during the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections in Inner Manipur constituency on Friday, a visibly upset INC candidate Angomcha Bimol Akoijam gave a fiery speech, warning that state’s democracy and integrity is facing its greatest threat ever.
In a video, he expressed discontentment over the unfolding assaults which allegedly took place in Manipur on the day of the elections, terming them as an attempt to suppress and subvert the right to vote and fair and free elections.
‘Such an incident has never been seen in Imphal Valley before during elections’, he asserted.
He vehemently condemned the harassment and abuse to the voters by unknown armed miscreants. “Today’s assault and threats to the people are not carried out by Kukis. Such an act is totally uncivil,” he said. He demanded those responsible to give a clarification if they are so called ‘patriots.’
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“I have had enough. I will never yield,” thundered Bimol, while asserting that he will continue to contest in the elections until it is revealed who are the true patriots and who are the double dealers.
He urged the youths and students, womenfolk and especially the patriots to be crucially aware of the hostile presence and looming threats within the community itself, all the while stressing the need to ponder carefully and take a stand against such atrocities.
Meanwhile, a heated argument broke out between the INC candidate and a police officer over an alleged threat to a party agent by unknown miscreants at Kiyamgei Maning Leikai polling station.
In a video, Bimol was seen repeatedly saying that a commotion broke out at the polling station, and the polling officer had already complained of the incident.
He went on to ask if the police officer was aware of the same. Angry over the alleged negligence on part of the authorities to prevent such an incident, he questioned what they were doing when his agent was thrown out and threatened. Meanwhile, no individual or group, however, has so far claimed responsibility for the threat.
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The strife-ridden state, is among the 102 parliamentary seats across 21 states and Union Territories to go to polls for the first phase of the 18th Lok Sabha Elections 2024.
He decried the proxy voting and the acts of threatening the voters by using muscle and armed power. Bimol said people across the state have heard about the mass proxy voting which takes place usually in many of the hill districts under muscle power, but a similar type of voting was witnessed in the Imphal valley.
“This has been done by miscreants who came out for patriotism in name only but whose intention is for the disintegration of Manipur,” Bimol said.
The people need not remain silent when their democratic rights are violated under gun power, he added. He said re-poll is definitely required for the polling stations that have complaints. Meanwhile, it is reported that as many as 36 polling stations submitted complaints.
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