On February 8, the National Peoples Party (NPP) claimed that several militant organisations are openly campaigning for ruling BJP in Manipur.
NPP says, Armed militant groups campaigning for BJP:
NPP reported that the BJP Party has demanded adequate security cover for its candidates in the coming Assembly poll in Manipur.
The spokesperson informed that the NPP has requested the authorities to repel all militants in that state to their camps and seize all arms from them for a free and fair election.
Election Commission files complaint:
Further, a complaint was filed the state’s election office and the Election Commission on the issue.
The NPP in a statement said that “The outfits namely KNF-MC, KNF-Z, UKLF, KNA and the HPC(D) have openly come out in blatant support of our opponent’s candidates from BJP and NPF.”
“We urge the authorities to put all underground groups under Suspension of Operations agreement in their respective camps and recover arms from their possession… and to provide security cover to our candidates in these most sensitive constituencies,” the statement further added.
Further allegations:
The NPP also alleged that cadres of the HPC(D) are moving around with arms and intimidating voters and village chiefs to vote for BJP candidates.
“Underground group like KNA and UKLF who are under SoO agreement are threatening our party workers and village chief to support BJP candidate Letpao Haokip in Tengnaupal constituency,” the statement said.
The spokesperson sais that the NPP also sought additional security cover for sitting MLA Y Erabot Singh, whose security cover was reduced recently.
