Cong takes case to ECI

IMPHAL, Oct 29 : Congress candidate Lamtinthang Haokip has filed a complaint to the Chief Election Commissioner, ECI against SoO group KNO/KRA for threatening his life during an election campaign at Kangchup Tuikun village, Saitu Assembly Constituency yesterday. The complaint sought the ECI to disqualify the candidature of BJP candidate Ngamthang Haokip alleging that the KRA personnel with arms are campaigning for him (Ngamthang Haokip).
In the complaint, Lamtinthang said Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA), which is under Suspension of Operation (SoO) with the Union and State Governments, launched an attempt on his life by firing six rounds of bullets while he was campaigning at Kangchup Tuikun village under Kangchup Police Station in Kangpokpi district on October 28.
The complaint further alleged that the KRA personnel physically assaulted INC sub-committee chairman Khailun Vaiphei of Kharam Vaiphei village and threatened six other INC supporters on the same night.
The KRA also stopped INC supporters of Leimakhong areas from organising public rallies. “...the KRA cadres are freely roaming in Saitu Assembly Constituency with arms and campaigning for BJP candidate,” the complaint alleged.
On the other hand, the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee president M Okendro has also  written to the Election Commission of India regarding the incident. In the complaint, the MPCC president alleged that the KRA cadres are overtly in support of the BJP candidate, Ngamthang Haokip.
Congress had received threat for cancellation of the election campaign scheduled at Kangchup Chingkhong polling station a day earlier. As such, the venue was shifted to the open SDO ground of Kangchup village. However, the meeting came under fire from nearby hills. The motive was to create fear among the supporters of the INC and a direct attempt on the life of the INC candidate, VIPs  present, as well as the supporters, said the complaint.
It sought the ECI to note the incident as a ‘serious matter’ and take necessary action against the KRA which is under SoO protocol.