District election officer of Imphal East Khumanthem Diana on Tuesday filed a complaint against independent candidate of the Inner Manipur parliamentary constituency Moirangthem Totomshana alias Nongshaba of the upcoming Lok Sabha election urging legal action against him for causing threats and intimidation.
Khumanthem Diana wrote the complaint to SP Imphal East to take legal action under the provisions of Sections 500, 503, and 505 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, read with Section 125 of the Representation of People Act, 1951 for the offense.
The complaint mentioned a live telecast show on April 2, 2024 by SK TV, an OTT platform where Moirangthem Totomshana Nongshaba made a derogatory statement against the chief minister of Manipur by violating the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct.
He even threatened the CM with physical harm by telling him that he would kill him whenever he got the chance, which amounts to an attack on the personal life of a person or a statement that is malicious or offends decency and morality, it stated.
The DEO said it is needless to say that the Election Commission of India, from time to time, has been issuing instructions and advisories to maintain high standards while carrying out the election campaign, it mentioned.
However, such highly inflammatory and intimidating speech made by a contesting candidate has the effect of promoting feelings of enmity, hatred, and ill-will and creating disharmony between and among the different political functionaries, which may ultimately vitiate the various initiatives and efforts being put in by the Election Commission of India in order to conduct a peaceful election, it added.
Meanwhile, BJP Manipur election management committee, convenor K Saratkumar on Wednesday submitted a complaint at Chief Electoral Officer Manipur and Returning Officer Th Kirankumar against Manipur Lok Sabha inner independent candidate Moirangthem Totomshana Nongshaba and one OTT platform for using derogatory words.
The complaint was submitted to CEO Manipur and RO, Th Kirankumar for using derogatory words against Chief Minister N Biren Singh by Manipur Lok Sabha inner independent candidate, Moirangthem Totomshana Nongshaba during a live show which was organised by SK TV at Hotel Imphal on Tuesday.
K Saratkumar who is also the general secretary of BJP Manipur Pradesh told the media at Lamphel, Imphal West that the organiser of the programme did not put any dos and don’ts for a panelist to express their opinions and the incident was unfortunate.
Totomshana is yet to apologise for the derogatory comment made during the programme, he said.
While organising such a programme, the organisers should set parameters for the panelists to maintain decency and ethical behavior while expressing their opinions. He further appealed to chief electoral officer Th Kirankumar to take appropriate action against Totomshana and the organisers of the programme.
