From Our Correspondent
TURA: Suspected GNLA cadres on Thursday targeted Jonathon Sangma, an Independent candidate contesting from Williamanagar in East Garo Hills, during a public meeting held at at Dawa Songgital, 10 km from Williamnagar.
According to police, the candidate was holding an election rally at around 6 pm when the suspected GNLA cadres fired shots in the adjacent forest area, aimed at creating fear among his supporters.
The people who gathered there heard the gun shots which created panic among the supporters of the candidate. However, there was no injury or casualty.
Police are inquiring whether there was any political rivalry which led to the attack by the GNLA on Jonathon.
The MPCC working president Deborah Marak is contesting from this constituency.
In a similar way, Deborah had come under the attack of ANVC (B) militants on November 24 last year during a prize distribution ceremony attended by her supporters in a village in Williamnagar.
Police said that armed GNLA militants came to the nearby jungle and fired some rounds in the air and fled the scene.
While talking to this reporter, Jonathon said that he had been continuously getting threatening calls to withdraw his candidature. In this regard Jonathon will be sending a written complaint to the Deputy Commissioner East Garo Hills on Friday.
According to sources, the East Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner has already written to the Election Commission about intimidation by insurgent groups.
According to Jonathon, he had raised the issue in the meeting with the authorities concerned.
He said the Election Commission should not hold polls if it cannot ensure free and fair elections.
Meanwhile, Central Intelligence sources indicated that candidates, who have connections with GNLA can make use of the militant outfit by offering them cash and other incentives in this elections to target the opponents, which according to them needs to be prevented.
