People in five polling stations in Imphal West district boycotted the Lok Sabha polls held on Thursday. The voters in four polling stations at Oinam Assembly constituency did not turn up for casting their votes. This is in protest against the manhandling of a woman allegedly by a police official under Nambol station limits. The people have been demanding the transfer of the police officer.
One woman activist told The Hindu that they met Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam Gangmei, who is in charge of Home Ministry on the issue.
The activists told the leaders that unless the police official is transferred, they have no option but to boycott polls.
Despite the assurance by the Mr. Gangmei to address the issue within a week, nothing has happened, they alleged.
Meanwhile, Chaoba Thounaojam, the state unit president of the BJP deplored the lapses of the Manipur government in this regard. He said that after a preliminary inquiry the officer should have been transferred away to mollify the people. He added that it is not too late now to transfer him if he is found guilty and then fix a new date of polling for these polling stations.
In a separate development, voters at Lambal in Imphal West district boycotted the elections on Thursday. The voters were angered over the arrest of a driver by personnel of 10 Assam Rifles.
Despite the developments, Mr. Gangmei is tight-lipped over the issue.
