DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 16 (MExN): Indian National Congress (INC) candidate Lun Tungnung has filed a complaint to the Returning Officer for 3 Dimapur III A/C alleging that he and his supporters have been on the receiving end of harassment and threats.
The complaint letter said that on February 15 at around 2:00-3:00pm, the candidate, his wife and her friend were “manhandled and threatened by some unknown people with unmarked vehicle.”
The incident occurred when Tungnung was proceeding to meet some people in Doyapur and Amaluma area. He alleged that the miscreants had threatened them of “dire consequences.”
He further alleged that some of his supporters and well wishers were threatened to the extent of snatching their voter’s ID Card.
Tungnung, in his letter to the Returning Officer shared his “apprehension that the concept of free and fair election seems a distant dream with the facts of being threatened and offered money to forcefully coerce my supporters to deny them their fundamental rights to vote.”
He asked the Returning Officer to look into the matter and requested proper security round the clock in the mentioned area. The Returning Officer for 3 Dimapur III A/C in response to the complaint letter has asked the candidate to approach the Dimapur Police for security and to file an FIR with regard to the incidents.
In a letter to the complainant, the RO reminded that candidates were informed on two occasions to acquire personal bodyguard and house guard for personal/family safety. “It is requested to take the bodyguard from the Commissioner of Police office immediately,” the RO advised. “It is also suggested to lodge the FIR to the nearest Police Station about the incident as soon as possible for the investigation of the matter. Kindly report the incident of the intimidation of your supporter to the nearest Police Station also,” the RO added.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer, Dimapur has intimated the Commissioner of Police on the matter.
