CPI(M) alleges firing at candidate Dilip Debbarma’s Mandai residence and obstruction during Village Committee election scrutiny, claiming threats, intimidation and confrontation involving party candidates and proposers. The party has sought State Election Commission intervention over alleged undemocratic practices.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist), CPI(M), has alleged that several rounds of firing took place outside the residence of one of its candidates in Mandai on Tuesday night, while its candidates and proposers were allegedly obstructed from attending the scrutiny of nomination papers for the upcoming Village Committee elections.
According to senior CPI(M) leader and GMP General Secretary Radhacharan Debbarma, the alleged firing occurred at the residence of party candidate Dilip Debbarma at around 11:20 pm on Tuesday. He claimed that unidentified miscreants opened fire in front of the candidate’s house, following which police reached the spot and took action.
“Police took prompt action and reached the spot. A suo moto case has been registered in this regard,” Debbarma said. He added that no person was injured in the firing incident.
The CPI(M) has also alleged that its candidates and proposers have faced attacks, death threats and threats to set houses on fire in different parts of Mandai block over the past several days. The party has raised concerns over the safety of its candidates and supporters ahead of the Village Committee elections.
Despite the alleged firing incident at his residence, Dilip Debbarma reportedly attended the scrutiny process at the Mandai block office on Wednesday morning.
Tension reportedly escalated later in the day when CPI(M) candidates and their proposers attempted to enter the block office premises for scrutiny of their nomination papers. According to party leaders, around 250 CPI(M) leaders, workers and supporters, including approximately 80 candidates and 80 proposers, marched from the party office at Mandai market towards the block office at around 10 am.
The CPI(M) alleged that supporters of the Tipra Motha had gathered near the entrance of the block office and attempted to intimidate its candidates and proposers. Party leaders claimed that an argument broke out when the candidates and proposers tried to enter the premises, eventually leading to a confrontation.
According to CPI(M) leaders, their supporters were pushed back during the confrontation, following which party members began a dharna outside the block office. The party alleged that despite repeated attempts to contact the Returning Officer, there was no response.
A senior CPI(M) leader alleged that the developments took place despite the deployment of adequate security forces in and around the block office. The party termed the alleged obstruction an “undemocratic” practice and questioned why its candidates and proposers were prevented from participating in the scrutiny process.
The agitation continued until late Wednesday evening, with CPI(M) leaders maintaining that their candidates and proposers had not been permitted to enter the block premises.
The party has demanded immediate intervention by the State Election Commission into the allegations and sought steps to ensure that all candidates are able to participate in the election process without intimidation or obstruction.
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The allegations come amid heightened political activity surrounding the upcoming Village Committee elections in Mandai. While the CPI(M) has raised serious concerns regarding the alleged firing, threats and obstruction, further developments and official responses from the administration, police and other parties involved are awaited.
