Newmai News Network Imphal | February 14 Ahead of assembly polls, at least nine persons – which included six women – were injured on Tuesday in a clash between Congress and BJP supporters at Khangabok constituency of Thoubal district. According to reports, some BJP workers and supporters of Congress candidate Okram Surjakumar Singh, son of incumbent Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, clashed around 11 am. Congress workers accused supporters of BJP candidate Thokchom Jadumani Singh of making a mess of a political rally which was in progress at a local playground and there ensued a violent confrontation injuring nine people from both sides. The two sides in the clash exchanged stones. Six women including a 49 year-old were also injured in the pre-poll violence. To control the situation, police fired tear gas shells and mock bombs. They were rushed to Thoubal District Hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, security has been tightened in and around Angtha village under Andro constituency of Imphal East after supporters of Congress candidate Th Shyamkumar staged a protest to disrupt campaigning by BJP candidate Dr Nimaichand Luwang. Dr Nimaichand carried out door-to-door campaigning in the area when supporters of the Congress candidate protested allegedly in their attempt to intrude on the campaigning. Acrimony between Dr Luwang, a former minister, and Andro sitting MLA Shyamkumar unfolded recently in Andro when some relatives of Luwang were attacked with the MLA being blamed for the incident. A BJP delegation led by MP and Manipur in-charge Prahlad Singh Patel yesterday called on Manipur Governor Dr Najma Heptulla highlighting “deterioration in law and order” in the poll-bound and Congress-ruled Manipur owing to alleged hooliganism and criminal activities by Congress. The team sought intervention of the Governor in upholding the dignity of the Constitution and Constitutional rights of the people. The BJP team also told Dr Najma that Chief Minister Ibobi Singh, his ministers and MLAs had been continuing criminal activities against the BJP workers, supporters and sympathisers. The Governor reportedly assured the BJP team that appropriate steps will be taken to ensure free and fair election in Manipur and that that the Constitutional rights of the people would be protected. With the nominations closing today, the exact official number of candidates who have filed nominations for the first phase election is awaited. A total of 116 candidates filed nominations yesterday. The state goes to polls on March 4 and 8 in two phases.
