IMPHAL, May 6 � Unidentified armed miscreants kidnapped two BJP candidates contesting the coming Autonomous District Ccouncil (ADC) elections in Manipur on June 1. Several other candidates have also been receiving threats to withdraw their candidatures.
This was stated by BJP Manipur president Th Chaoba while talking to media persons here today.
Laminthang Kipgen, BJP candidate from Tuzang Vichong of Sadar Hills ADC was kidnapped on May 3 while he was coming to BJP office. The KRA, an outfit which is under Suspension of Operation (SoO) with the government is suspected to be behind the abduction. Another BJP candidate of Churachandpur ADC was kidnapped from Geljang area by some suspected militant cadres.
Further, a BJP candidate of Senapati ADC was forced to withdraw his candidature under intense pressure from unidentified persons.
Meanwhile, militant KNA has been constantly threatening BJP candidates of Moreh (B), Moreh (A) and Suibong, all under Tengnoupal, to withdraw their candidatures and not to contest the coming polls, he alleged.
Suspected NSCN (IM) cadres also have threatened BJP candidates of Tuingam, Puduinamei and Saranamei of Mao from contesting in the coming ADC elections, Th Chaoba said.
The BJP State president strongly condemned the kidnappings and threats and appealed to all concerned to make the election a free, fair and peaceful one.
