Miscreants allegedly left a hand grenade at the gate of a family which are supporters of MLA Paonam Brojen who will be contesting the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly election as a BJP candidate from Wangjing-Tentha assembly constituency.
Strongly condemning the incident, locals staged a sit in protest on Wednesday. The gate belongs to the household of one Laishram Panchom, 66, son of late Bihari from near Tentha Khongbal Mayai Leikai Mathak Thong under Khongjom Police Station in Thoubal district.
Wife of Panchom, Laishram ongbi Memcha, 64, told the media that the bomb was discovered at around 7.30 am by a labourer who had been working at their house to install windows.
She said, they never expected that someone would attempt to terrorise them in such a manner. “We have been living modestly in this locality. Although I am involved in some election related activities, I do not hold a single post or duty,” she said.
Memcha further raised suspicion that the bomb was planted at their house to threaten them and related to politics. “It was meant to intimidate us with a message that we should not work for MLA Brojen. In elections, people cast their votes for their desired candidate. We also have a candidate whom we wish to support,” she added.
She alleged that workers of a candidate in Tentha had made threats with the words, “Tentha should get together. Votes should not be divided.”
She narrated that around five-six days ago, womenfolk of Tentha village came to her house and announced that no workers of other candidates should convene, hold discussions etc. They further announced that the people must cast votes for the one candidate whom they are supporting, she added.
She alleged that on that particular day, one Premabati who is also a ward member from Tentha warned that those who do not follow their mandate will be held solely responsible for any untoward outcome. Another woman announced that they are also in possession of weapons, she further alleged, adding the group of women threatened around four households which are supporters of MLA Brojen.
Memcha continued that a written complaint was also lodged at a Police station, following the incident. She appealed to the authorities concerned to look into the matter and take necessary action.
Meanwhile, locals staged a sit-in protest near Tentha khongbal Mayai Leikai Multiplex.
(PHOTO: IFP)
Placards that read ‘we want peace’, ‘provide protection to civilians’, ‘we condemn planting of bomb at populated area’ etc. were displayed during the protest.
In the meantime, Thoubal district SP Jogeshchandra Haobijam arrived at the spot where the bomb was found and personally took stock of the situation.
Later, the bomb was collected by a team of Manipur Bomb disposal squad and safely disposed of at Langathel Chingkhong.
