Imphal, Apr 14: The Congress party has filed a formal complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur on Saturday as some unidentified armed persons resorted to firing during a meeting of the party at Moirang, Bishnupur district on Friday.

Congress candidate for Inner Manipur, Ak Bimol along with Girish Chodankar, AICC In-charge Manipur, K. Meghachandra, President, MPCC, former Chief Minister O lbobi Singh, and Congress MLAs and leaders were proceeding towards Phairenbami Mandop, Moirang as about 500 people were gathering to meet the candidate when some unidentified persons fired at the crowd which resulted in chaos.

The unidentified gunmen also threatened those who were at the venue not to take part in the meeting. Earlier unidentified armed persons had repeatedly visited the residence of the Congress candidate and threatened his family members.

The meeting of Congress candidate Arthur was also earlier stopped as unidentified persons fired during a meeting when the candidate was addressing a meeting at Ukhrul.

A Congress delegation requested the CEO of Manipur to take up necessary legal action against the anti-social miscreants and take up immediate security measures by deploying central armed police personnel in all the valley areas of Manipur as almost all the valley areas would be hyper-sensitive zones for the coming election.

Congress President, Meghachandra addressing the media said the Congress candidate had met some people at Kwakta and proceeded towards Moirang as some people had gathered at the residence of former MLA Sharat when the firing incident took place. He said the Congress party is not organising any meeting as part of the election and the candidate is only visiting the residences of some leaders.

There is apprehension that there will be no free and fair election if the law and order situation is not controlled, he added.

Girish Chodankar, AICC In-charge Manipur said the Congress party has been briefing the CEO to conduct free and fair elections in Manipur. The firing incident was to spread a fear psychosis as the Congress candidates were getting good support, he added. Congress wants to support ECI and the CEO to conduct free and fair elections and encourage a good turnout.

Voters should not be threatened and there should be a level playing field and all voters should be given their rights of free choice he added. People are voting for the future of Manipur and Congress is expecting a turnout of about 90 percent. He said the CEO also assured the team to inform the ECI about the matter.

Congress workers were not able to conduct election activities, he said.

UNI