Demand for repoll after allegations of booth capturing in Manipur
Imphal: Political parties and candidates have demanded repoll of some polling stations of the Outer Manipur Parliamentary constituency for which election was held on Wednesday. Ten candidates were in the fray. Thangjakam Misao, Election Agent of the Indian National Congress Candidate, Thangso Baite has lodged a complaint to the Election Commission of India (ECI) alleging that members of Naga People’s Front (NPF) captured polling booths in Chingai and Tengnoupal. The NPF has also alleged that militants who have signed Suspension of Operation (SoO) captured booths at polling stations 59/23, 59/24, 59/25 and 59/26. Meanwhile the BJP Chief Th Chaoba has sent a letter to ECI demanded repoll in about 57 polling booths where cadres of NSCN(IM) captured booths at Chingai at Ukhrul district, Sadar Hills ,Karong at Senapati District, Tadubi at Chandel District, , Saitu and Tengnoupal at Chandel. So far the Chief Electoral Officer, O Nabakishore has recommended repoll in a polling station of Chandel. All the EVMs will be reaching the concerned counting centres today and as most of the EVMs will be brought by air the final poll percentage has not yet been announced. The CEO said the poll percentage may be over 80 percent though initially it was recorded at 70 percent. UN
Nagaland BJP district unit files complaint against Cong. MLA
Kohima: The president of the BJP Mokokchung district unit, Limawati has filed a complaint against Imtikumzuk, Congress MLA from Aonglenden Assembly Constituency, on the ground that the latter in violation of Election Model Code of Conduct openly made speech ‘that amounts to inciting communalism and provoke hatred between Christians and the Hindus on the basis of religion’ and thereby violated the Election Model Code of Conduct No 1 during the Congress Rally at Ungma village on April 3 last. In a complaint to the Election Commission of India, Limawati alleged that Imtikumzuk had stated ‘2014 Lok Sabha Election is not between K. V. Pusa and Neiphiu Rio, Congress and NPF candidates respectively, but between the Christians and the Hindus adding that ‘BJP lead NDA Government at the centre is trying to eradicate the Christian Religion, as such as true soldier of Christian, we should fight the BJP’. Imtikumzuk has abused the word Secularism in the Constitution of India, and has also incited hatred between the Christians and the Hindus,’ the BJP complaint and maintained that BJP is a National Party under the Constitution of India and a recognized National Party by the Election Commission of India under the Representations of the Peoples Act. Taking strong exception of the MLA’s speech, BJP president, Mokokchung district has urged the Election Commission of India to take necessary action against Imtikumzuk, so that any untoward incident on communal feelings of hatred may be prevented in future. (UNI)
545 gms of heroin seized in Mizoram
Aizawl: At least 545 grams of heroin was seized by the Mizoram Excise and Narcotics department since Monday. Some people were arrested in this connection, but their names were yet to be revealed due to fear of hampering the investigation, the officials said. The seized contraband was estimated to be worth Rs 16.35 lakh in the local market. (PTI)
Naga Hoho of Nagaland expresses concern on Ladoigarh situation
Kohima: The Naga Hoho has expressed concern at the situation in Ladoigarh Village, under Tamlu Assembly Constituency under Longleng district, where Assam Police prevented polling to take place. In a press release NH President Chuba Ozukum and General Secretary Mutsikhoyo Yhobu said such action was ‘a blatant violation of the law of ECI and directive of the Supreme Court’. NH urged ECI to intervene and ‘immediately initiate peaceful polling at Ladoigarh under any circumstances, cautioning that the ‘ECI and Assam Government shall be held responsible for any adverse consequence’. The Hoho further questioned the ‘arbitrariness of Assam Police with ulterior motives to create war between the two sisterly states’. Urging the Assam Government to maintain status quo, NH asked the latter to allow the smooth conduct of the LS election. NH pointed out that Ladoigarh was within the jurisdiction of Longleng district, Nagaland and traditionally belonging to the Phom Nagas. It said that the action of the Assam Police was ‘an act of forceful occupation and an encroachment on the Naga areas’, NH said it would not remain a mute spectator. (UNI)
Naga anti-taxation body asks FNR to talk with rebel groups on tax issue
Kohima: The Action Committee Against Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) in Nagaland has asked the Forum for Naga Reconciliation to work out the issue of extortion (illegal taxation) with the underground groups even as they enter into an agreement to form ‘one government’. The ACAUT, which has come to enjoy wide public support, said ‘taxation is an emotional issue’ how and the menace must be addressed before the support of the public surround the reconciliation starts to erode, stated that the FNR and the underground groups should start working out on the ‘modalities’ including the concept of ‘one tax’, a matter that has become acidic with the public. ‘The modalities for one national government, including one tax, should be worked out at the earliest before critical erosion of public support takes place.” (UNI)