Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 25:
The State Bharatiya Janata Party has accused State Government of inaction regarding provision of security escort to party candidates for the ensuing State Assembly elections.
Contending that inspite of repeated intimations to to provide escorts to party nominees the BJP proposal is yet to be accorded importance, Dr H Borobabu disclosed he and another candidate had received threats from unknown persons.
"We have formally applied for provision of security escorts to police authorities but till date no positive response has been made," the former State Assembly Speaker alleged on the sideline of releasing BJP manifesto for the ensuing polls.
According to Borobabu, who is also the State unit president of BJP, party candidate Rose Mangshi Haokip contesting from Saitu assembly constituency, filed her nomination papers at Imphal after she received threat from some unidentified persons.
The miscreants reportedly asked her not to contest the polls failing which she would be killed.
"inspite of such grim situation the police authorities have still not been able to provide security to her.
Being a leader of the party and also a candidate I also applied for security many times but to no avail, he lamented.
The DGP's way of handling the issue is not upto the mark and it would be highlighted to central authorities, Borobabu said.
Referring to news photo clip of the chief minister O Ibobi Singh handing out money at a recent campaign, Borobabu construed the act as openly bribing voters while iterating that the matter has already been put up to the ECI for prompt action.
The act defies election model code of conduct and the democratic process as Ibobi was attempting to buy rights of the voters, he maintained and expressed it is very unfortunate for a man like the CM indulging in such shameful act.
"we are hopeful the ECI would take appropriate action against him," the state party leader said.
BJP's in charge of Manipur and Nagaland Avinash Kholi, informed that party president Rajnath Singh and vice president Venkaiah Naidu would be arriving here on February 3 and 6 respectively to galvanise support for BJP nominees.
So far BJP has fielded 13 candidates and the party is targeting to raise the number to 15, Kholi said while exuding confidence that prospect of success in the polls are very high.
The manifesto released today contains 28 points including protection of State's boundary if it comes to power, repeal the controversial AFSPA and pass a legislation for safeguarding identity of the threatened indigenous people of the state.
The manifesto also promises to launch Tipaimukh dam only with approval of the people, establish press academy and media complex in the state, establish separate police stations and jail for women, protect religious places in the state, set up enquiry commission on the ISKCON terror attack and encourage indigenous games and culture such as performing and martial arts.