Imphal, February 18: Even as the abduction of an Independent candidate from Tamenglong AC, Khangthuanang Panmei is threatening to derail the poll process at the said AC, reports have come in that the BJP candidate in Saikot Assembly Constituency in Churachandpur district, Ngamkholun Haokip was abducted from his residence by suspected militants on February 16 at about 10.30 pm.

According to a delayed report reaching here, the candidate was abducted along with his workers on February 16. While the workers have been reportedly released, the whereabouts of the said candidate are still not yet known.

Interestingly it is learnt that no security escorts were provided to the abducted candidate.

No case has been registered with the police either, as the family members and party workers have not formally lodged a complaint with the police.

The matter has also not been highlighted to the District Election Officer, so no official complaint has been lodged, till the time of filing this report.

Saikot Assembly Constituency is the home turf of sitting MLA, TN Haokip of the Congress.

There are six candidates in the fray in Saikot Assembly Constituency.

Apart from TN Haokip of the INC and the abducted BJP candidate Ngamkholun Haokip, the others are, Dr Jainson Haokip of the (MPP) a former MLA, Lalthalien of the NCP, M Chungkhosei of the LJSP and Thangjangam Baite of the SAP.

The abducted candidate hails from Gangpizang in Churachandpur district.

So far no organisation or group or individual have claimed responsibility for the abduction.

In the last Assembly election, TN Haokip of the INC had romped home securing 16,699 votes.

His nearest rival then was M Chungkhosei who was then the NCP candidate.

He secured 11966. Saikot Assembly Constituency has a total of 41,414 registered voters and it will go to the polls on February 23.