Imphal, February 12: Nationalist Congress party (NCP) candidate from Wangkhei AC Moirangthem Prafullo has come out strongly against the assault of two innocent persons who had gone to pick up the relative of a sick patient by some uniformed security personnel on alleged charge of working for him.

Talking to mediapersons during a press conference at his Khurai Ahongei Leikai today, Prafullo said it is really unfortunate that innocent people are being targeted and threatened in connection with election and such act of goondaism should not be condoned.

The two victims identified as Felix and Sochipem of Sanjenthong recounted that both of them were going in a Maruti Gypsy (MN-1A-3527) from Shija Hospital to Mantripukhri to pick up a person who is related to a sick patient undergoing treatment at Shija Hospital at around 11 pm of February 10.Despite having the passes issued by Shija Hospital, some uniformed security personnel stopped them near Mantripukhri.

Both of them were blindfolded and subjected to severe thrashing while accusing them as political workers of M Prafullo and charging with having gone to the house of one Shila, a worker of INC candidate to threaten.

Later on, the two victims informed, they were taken to the residence of INC candidate Erabot.

There also they were taken on the top floor of the house where they were again subjected to another round of severe thrashing before handing them over to Imphal East Police Station.

They were released by the police from their custody only after signing PR bond after their family members arrived at the police station, Felix and Sochimpen said.

Prafullo said misuse of State forces and hiring goons by INC candidates to beat up and threaten innocent people and political workers of the other candidates should not be taken lightly and condemned in the strongest term.