Cong workers disrupt BJP meeting
Najma Heptullah condemns the violent act
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, December 11 2011: An election meeting of Indira Oinam, a BJP proposed candidate, who is gearing up to contest against Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh in his home turf in the upcoming election to the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly, had to be ended abruptly following disruption caused by Congress workers prompting police to open fire at Moijing under Thoubal Assembly Constituency today.

Condemning the conduct of the Congress workers, BJP has lodged a complaint with the UPA government at the Centre.

The election meeting attended by many National leaders of BJP commenced at around 10 am today.

Just as President of BJP Minority Morcha MS Rahamad Tula was half way through his key note address, a group of loud-speaker using Congress workers, who were armed with sticks/clubs, axes, etc, descended near the meeting ground at around 10.30 am.

In addition to using loud speakers to disrupt the meeting, the Congress workers also started causing damage to the vehicles used for transportation of BJP workers.

In the violence unleashed by Congress workers, at least five Tata Magic vehicles, one van and one autorickshaw were damaged.

BJP, Vice President, Najma Heptullah addressing a public meeting at Moijing

In order to control the mob, Thoubal police personnel and commandos resorted to firing several rounds.

On hearing the gun shots, public who were attending the election meeting were seen lying prostrate on the ground.

At that moment, personnel of 7 MR, who were deployed for the security of the VIPs attending the meeting, also opened fire to disperse the mob.

However, the Congress workers were undeterred and seen continuing to shout from a distance through their loud speakers calling BJP a communal and anti-Muslim party.

They also objected to entry of BJP in Thoubal Assembly Constituency and warned of dire consequences if the BJP workers and leaders do not leave at once.

Despite the commotion, the meeting of the BJP continued.

But at around 10.50 am, another group of Congress workers, who were carrying sticks and clubs, rushed towards the meeting venue compelling the security personnel to fire several rounds, mock bombs and rubber bullets to disperse the disrupting Congress workers for the second time.

However, personnel of Thoubal police did not attempt to seize the loud speakers used by the Congress workers, who carried on shouting till the end of the meeting.

Earlier, addressing the meeting, National Vice President of BJP Dr Najma Heptullah observed that BJP is not anti-Muslim and the Muslims are not afraid of anybody except Allah.

National General Secretary of the party Tapir Gao called upon the people for understanding the true meaning of democracy and asserted that BJP is a political party which always keeps in mind the welfare of all the people in India.

Projected BJP candidate Indira Oinam observed that human beings are mortal and she has no hesitation in sacrificing her life for the sake of saving Thoubal district and its people.

President of BJP Manipur Pradesh Sh Shantikumar Sharma categorically stated that the party has entrusted Indira Oinam to the people for saving Thoubal.

In a press conference held at the residence of Indira at Thoubal after the meeting, Dr Najma Heptullah said that the conduct of the Congress workers in using loud speakers and unleashing violence to disrupt the meeting of the BJP in Thoubal Assembly Constituency, which is the home constituency of Chief Minister O Ibobi, who is also in-charge of Home portfolio, deserved to be condemned in the strongest terms.

As the Chief Minister of Manipur, Ibobi should protect the lives and properties of the people of Manipur and not allow such incidents to happen in his home constituency, she observed.

"I have never seen nor come across such violent conduct in 40 years of my political career.

BJP could never think of doing such thing", Dr Heptullah said, and pointed out that every political party has the rights to express their opinion in a democratic country.

She maintained that there was full participation of Muslim community in today's meeting.

BJP National General Secretary Tapir Gao contended that today's incident has shown that there can be no security to the lives of the people in Manipur under the administration of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh.

He informed that the matter would be taken up in both .houses of the Parliament.

State unit BJP President Sh Shantikumar Sharma observed that the conduct of the Congress workers, that too, in the home constituency of the Chief Minister, who also holds the portfolio of Home, was shameful.

Indira Oinam said that she is not going to be discouraged by such threats and intimidations.

In fact, it would only hasten the decline of the Congress party.

"My contest in the election against Chief Minister O Ibobi is not just for Thoubal Assembly Consituency alone.

Defeating the Chief Minister is for the good of all the people of Manipur.

So, I may be contesting in the election as a BJP candidate, but the other political parties should extend their co-operation", Indira added.