Northeast Desk, 19th March: The firing of guns by unknown miscreants, followed by retaliation from security forces, serves as a prelude to the 2024 Lok Sabha election campaigns in Manipur, slated to be held in two phases on April 19 and April 26.
K Meghachandra, president of the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), reported that unknown armed men attacked Congress candidate Alfred Kanngam Arthur while he was holding a meeting at TK Woodland Resort in the Ukhrul district of Manipur on Monday afternoon.
Congress has nominated former MLA of the Ukhrul Assembly Constituency, Alfred Kan-Ngam Arthur, as a candidate for the Outer Manipur Parliamentary constituency seat reserved for Scheduled Tribes in the upcoming elections.
Fortunately, Alfred escaped unhurt in the burst of gunfire, and although his escorts retaliated, the meeting resumed reluctantly.
Condemning the incident, K Meghachandra expressed concern over the traumatizing effect of the firing on the attendees and questioned the possibility of free and fair elections amidst such intimidation.
Urging the state government to enforce law and order impartially and not to overlook the attack on the Congress candidate, K Meghachandra appealed to all individuals carrying firearms not to intimidate or disrupt the electoral environment, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the integrity of free and fair elections.
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