NPP candidate cries foul against BJP supporters

June 22, 2024 9 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 22

The Nationalist People’s Party (NPP) filed a complaint against what it alleged was violation of the election Model Code of Conduct by the BJP. The complaint was filed with the Sector Officer, Ward-7, Dimapur Municipal Council, on June 21, by the NPP candidate from the ward, Nikali Sumi Chophi.

Chophi’s Chief agent, K Puloto Chishi told a press conference, on Friday, that a police complaint was also filed against “unknown miscreants.” He said that a group of around 60-70 youths intruded into the residence of the NPP candidate, in Xuvihe colony, and vandalised vehicles parked in the compound. The incident was said to have occurred around midnight.

He said that the unidentified youths were supporters of the BJP candidate from the reserved Ward-7. They reportedly came sloganeering in support of the BJP. According to him, the situation would have gone out of hand if the elders of the locality had not intervened.

As per the MCC, he said that public campaigning and sloganeering should be carried out only between 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. “We have formally filed complaints with the Returning (Sector) Officer and also a police complaint,” he said, while adding that they have video evidence of the alleged incident. “If the authorities want evidence, we will produce it,” he added.

NPP party worker, Kiyeli Chophi held that the youths, travelling in a convoy of vehicles, raised BJP slogans when they passed the NPP candidate’s house provoking some youths, who responded with NPP slogans. This reportedly irked the BJP supporters, who allegedly forced their way into the residence, in the process vandalising some cars and taking down posters and banners. She said that the youths were inebriated and not of the ward.

The candidate, Nikali Sumi Chophi, appealed the administration and election office to act on the incident. “My campaign is going on peacefully and I intent to complete it peacefully,” she said, while appealing the public of the ward to uphold the values of democracy for peaceful conduct of the elections. She asserted that she will not be intimidated by display of force.

The Ward-7, reserved for women candidates, consists of Sema Tilla, Xuvihe colony, Westyard, Chatteswari colony and Lower Manipuri Basti. It has over 3290 votes.