IMPHAL, FEB 17 (AGENCIES): Suspected Naga militants kidnapped an independent candidate for the ongoing assembly elections in Manipur and destroyed his house and vehicle in Tamenglong district after overpowering his security personnel, official sources said today.
Over 50 armed militants stormed the house of Khangthuanang Panmei, the independent candidate, overpowered the security guards and beat up his supporters before kidnapping him, the sources said. They also snatched away eight self-loading rifles, several rounds of ammunition and two light machine guns from the security guards, the sources said, before destroying the candidate’s house and vehicle.
Earlier, candidates were directed to withdraw from the fray by the United Naga Council in support of their nominees. Chief Minister, O.Ibobi Singh and election observers have rushed to Tamenglong by a special helicopter.
An aerial search was being made by army helicopters to locate the abducted candidate. The injured supporters were admitted to hospital. Reports said social organisations took out processions and submitted memoranda to the Deputy Commissioner demanding to know how Panmei could be kidnapped when security was intensified in Tamenglong for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit tomorrow.
Social organisations have been organising rallies in the district in the past few days demanding a free and fair poll. Over 4,000 women took out a rally on February 15 at Khoupu in Nungba assembly constituency in the district demanding that the UNC did not interfere in the election process.
Meanwhile, the NSCN-IM has claimed responsibility in kidnapping Khangthuanang Panmei, an Independent candidate who is in the fray from Tamenglong Assembly Constituency in the ensuing Assembly Election of Manipur.
Giving reasons for the abduction, NSCN-IM MIP Deputy Kilonser Kraibo Chawang informed NNN tonight over phone that Khangthuanang Panmei had been creating law and order problems in the Tamenglong Headquarters for some time now. Kraibo Chawang alleged that a gang organised by Khangthuanang Panmei had completely damaged a vehicle belonged to the Zeliangrong Union (ZU).The NSCN-IM Kilonser further alleged that the life of some high dignitaries of the GPRN/NSCN-IM and the Zeliangrong Region had been attempted by the gang at the behest of Khangthuanang Panmei.
The NSCN stated that he was arrested for his criminal activities and had nothing to do with election, adding that he will be released if he apologizes and repent for his past criminal activities.
The NSCN-IM leader further alleged that the Independent candidate had also organised an anti-people rally in Tamenglong which was also against the Naga issue.
The election camp of UNC’s consensus candidate from Tamei A/C Awangbow had been attacked by the gang organised by Khangthuanang Panmei. Kraibo Chawang also lamented that numerous criminal activities had been carried out by Khangthuanang and his supporters but the district administration intentionally closed its eyes and allowed the “criminals to go scot-free who were taking the law into their hands”.
“So things have gone too far and such that the NSCN/GPRN has to act so as to keep the social atmosphere in order and hence the arrest of Khangthuanang Panmei,” reasons Kraibo Chawang.
The NSCN-IM leader further alleged that all the activities of the supporters of Khangthuanang and the candidate himself are criminal in nature. Kraibo Chawang then warned that anyone who tries to create uneasy atmosphere would be dealt with sternly.
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