Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Tuesday warned to take stern action against the perpetrators of political violence ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled early next year.
CM Biren’s comments came a day after six persons were injured, most of them with pellet wounds, when workers of two rival political groups clashed during an election rally in the Yairipok Yambem area of Imphal East district on Monday.
Singh, who also holds the home portfolio, said that if anyone instigates any kind of violence or attacks any individual or organisation, the law enforcing agencies would take stern action against that person.
“Before the Assembly elections, every political party/group/individuals have their democratic right to undertake campaign maintaining the procedure and law. But none should vitiate the peaceful and democratic environment of the state,” Singh told reporters in Imphal.
On Monday, one group of workers was led by former minister Shyamkumar, while the other was headed by a prospective candidate in the Andro Assembly constituency, Lourembam Sanjoy.
The elections to the 60-seat Manipur Assembly are expected to be held in February-March next year as the term of the state Assembly would end on March 19, 2022.