Imphal: A visibly upset Dr Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, who was targeted by unidentified armed miscreants for a second time on Tuesday at Kumbi, questioned why he was singled out by those miscreants among all the candidates who are contesting in this upcoming 18th Lok Sabha election.
Bimol also expressed suspicion about whether those armed miscreants are being misguided by false promises by the ruling government.
The Congress nominee and India bloc candidate from the Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency argued that political campaigns are one of the most important parts of the democratic process and are central to the right to vote. This is the only chance where candidates can interact with the electorate and listen to their views and opinions.
If you don’t allow an election campaign, it’s like forfeiting the right to vote of the electorates, Dr Bimol told newsmen at his Keishamthong residence on Tuesday evening.
Dr Bimol, who was a teacher at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi, also disclosed that he was earlier threatened by some armed miscreants not to contest this election and he had to go underground for a few days.
Reiterating his early statement that this upcoming Lok Sabha election is not an ordinary election, Dr Bimol said that this election will decide the future of our state and in which direction we’re heading. However, he said, the sad part is the ruling government was trying to mislead our volunteers by either giving false promises or threatening them with FIRs for their actions and conduct.
Bimol reminded that these volunteers came out to safeguard their motherland and communities as the ruling government failed to perform their duties to safeguard lives and properties by utilizing their machinery including civil administration, police, and security forces.
Stating that no action or FIRs should be taken against these volunteers, Bimol said if he gets elected to the parliament he would initiate a proposal for general amnesty for them and should be defended by all.
Disclaimer: The statement of Dr Bimol was of Tuesday (16th April 2024)
