Two Dr Bimol supporters attacked

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Apr 18: Two supporters of Congress candidate Dr Bimol Akoijam were attacked by unidentified persons who opened fire at their respective residences.
The first incident happened at the residence of one Kumabam Sanajaoba (70) at Kangla Sangomsang, Imphal East district under Lamlai police station at around 9.30 pm yesterday.  
According to family members of Kumabam Sanajaoba who earlier served as the president of Khurai Block Congress Committee, some persons who came in a car (SUV) fired several rounds of shots at their residence.
The second attack took place at the residence of former Zilla Parishad Member Athokpam Okendra at Khurai Sajor Leikai Tinsid Road at around 10 am today.
Some unidentified persons came to the residence of Okendra and fired five rounds of shot.
Okendra said that he and Kumabam Sanajaoba attended a small meeting of INC candidate Dr Angomcha Bimol Akoijam yesterday.
At around 8.30 pm yesterday, three unidentified persons came to Okendra’s home and told his wife, “Keep away Okendra from Congress party’s election campaigns; he may vote for the candidate of his choice”.
“At around 10 am today, two men came in a SUV and fired five rounds of shot at my home”, Okendra said.
Okendra said that he supports Dr Bimol Akoijam for  his political principles concur with those of the candidate.
“But I never asked anyone to vote for Dr Bimol nor did I campaign for the Congress party”, Okendra said.
He said that he was deeply distressed by the attack at his residence.
Meanwhile, taking strong exception to the twin attacks, local womenfolk staged sit-in-protest at Kangla Sangomsang community hall and Khurai Sajor Leikai, Tinsid Road this afternoon.
The protest demonstration held at Kangla Sangomsang under the Coordinating Committee, Kangla Sangomsang used placards and festoons which read as “We condemn opening fire in civilian areas”, “Don’t harass innocent civilians”, “Don’t ignite intra-community confrontation”, “We want peace” etc.