SHILLONG: James Ban Basaiawmoit, who is the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) candidate from Pynthorumkhrah, said on Thursday the electoral arena was not a battleground for pelting stones and assaulting people.
The PDF candidate was referring to the recent poll violence in different parts of the state, particularly the incident of stone pelting at a public meeting that he was addressing at Lumshyiap, Nongmynsong on Tuesday.
“People have the right to listen to candidates before the election to make decisions. What else is there to talk about if such an incident takes place while attending a public meeting? Since it was dark, no one could see from which side of the road the stone was thrown,” he told reporters.
Basaiawmoit, however, chose to maintain silence on the political rivalry angle.
He has filed an FIR and said he relied on the police investigation.
A woman was injured during the stone pelting on Tuesday. She was carrying her child on her back.
Basaiawmoit informed that two days after of the incident, a Nepali supporter of his was assaulted by miscreants who travelled on a white Bolero.
“They asked whether he was a supporter of mine and when he admitted, they started beating him up. I have filed an FIR day before yesterday,” he said.
Speaking about the cases of poll-time violence, Basaiawmoit said before taking out rallies and public meetings, they proceeded as per the terms and conditions of the Election Commission.
“Whatever takes place here in the constituency, I believe that the district administration and the Police Department should conduct strict checking to curb such incidents,” he said.
On development, Basaiawmoit said Pynthorumkhrah constituency was among the least developed in Shillong.
He said youth members of the Pynthorumkhrah PDF said a bike rally would be a better option to communicate to the constituents in every nook and corner.
“Through this election campaign we tell people to not vote for the BJP. People are already against the BJP,” he said.