Stop Violence related to Election

Imphal, 11th January 2022

Youth’s Forum for Protection of Human Rights (YFPHR) is deeply saddened to witness the adoption of violence as a means of tool for the upcoming election in February and March in Manipur. We deeply regret the incompetency of political parties, police departments and the government to refrain ones from committing an offence which led to lost of precious lives of its citizen in the state of Manipur. We are also sad to witness the inaction of the Manipur Human Rights Commission which is established to protect and to curb and direct the state authority to control from commissioning such violence.

The use of guns or weapons to threaten its citizen to prove its power is yet another act of insecurity and incompetency of the particular parties or individuals or state authorities.

The series of violence could be witnessed On 25th November,2021 at around 9:30 pm, Sitting MLA of Langthabal A/C Karam Shyam identified himself as an intending candidate of BJP pulled out a gun from his pocket and resulted in threatening the public.

On the 27th of November, 2021 at around 11:20 pm, unidentified persons fired several rounds at the house of Mr. Ranjit Lourembam of Yairipok Yambem Makha Leikai.

On the 22nd December,2021, Mr. Ningthoujam Rohit (21), a Thoubal College student, was shot dead while his father Mr. Premchandra (53) was injured in firing related to pre-poll violence at Heirok Part II village under Heirok Assembly Constituency.

On the 23rd of December, 2021, two workers of Kh. Ratankumar (Vice President, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee) who recently joined the Congress from the BJP, were attacked with gunshots while conducting an election campaign in one of the residences at Mayang Imphal.

On the 1st of January, 2022 unknown miscreants fired at the election office of National Peoples Party’s candidate Mr. Huidrom Vikramjit from Yaiskul Constituency at Brahmapur Laljilakpa Leikai.

On the 7th of January, 2022 at around 01:30 pm, around 7 rounds of bullets were fired from a vehicle of BJYM President M. Barish Sharma in a crowded BJP’s office of Bishnupur District leading to social unrest.

On 9th of January, 2022 at around 9:30 pm two persons were shot at Wangoi Constituency and reported dead.

Concerning the above cited incidents adopting violence as the means to dominate and creating fear psychosis among the civilians prior to the election is not a sign of good governance. In October, 2021 the District Magistrate have already announced to submit the licensed gun to the nearest police station however, the incidents which took place after the announcement clearly indicates that the licensed gun are not properly checked by the state which is of serious concern. If the licensed gun are deposited in the concern police stations than from where the guns are being used to threaten the public in connection with the election.

Isn’t the order passed by the District Magistrate cover the intending candidates and the standing candidates or its workers of all the Political parties is in need to be questioned at this critical point of time.

We already have appealed on 30th, October, 2021 to refrain our citizen to refrain from violence and also appealed the Manipur Human Rights Commission, Governor of Manipur and Department of Home to immediately intervene to curb the poll related violence in the state of Manipur.

We with the deep concern again appeal the people of Manipur to refrain from possible violence related to election as no state authorities is concerned to protect its citizen but to misuse its power and snatch the power of the people using the violence.

We finally would like to appeal the people to please refrain from violence and be a real good citizen to make a real democratic and citizen centric government.

(Kh. Phajaton)
Youth’s Forum For Protection Of Human Rights
Palace Compound West,
Imphal East – 795001