Youth fronts of BJP, Cong face off over Bimol's case

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 16 : Political stand offs escalated in Imphal today over the alleged sexual harassment case involving Inner Lok Sabha MP Dr Bimol Akoijam as rival youth wings of the BJP and Congress staged protests against each other, triggering confrontations with security personnel and the detention of two Manipur Pradesh Youth Congress (MPYC) members.
While security forces foiled an attempt by the MPYC to take out a protest rally towards the BJP office today afternoon, the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) staged a protest outside Congress Bhavan, triggering tension and confrontations between protesters and police.
The BJYM rally towards Congress Bhavan in Imphal turned tense as security personnel attempted to control the situation amid growing political confrontation over allegations against Dr Bimol.
The BJYM protesters raised slogans, including "We Want Justice", "Don't Defend the Guilty" and others demanding that the Congress MP prove his innocence through the legal process.
As the BJYM protesters reached Congress Bhavan, Congress supporters staged a counter-protest at the gate, holding placards bearing slogans such as "Save Democracy," "Save Manipur" and "Save Constitution."
The Congress workers shouted back, saying, "Shame, shame BJP."
The face-off between the two groups heightened tensions, prompting police to intervene.
Speaking during the protest, BJYM leader Deshraj Yumnam questioned why Dr Akoijam has not taken up any course of action to prove his stand, as he has maintained that he is innocent.
He maintained that the issue should be addressed through the Court of law, irrespective of political affiliations.
He asserted that as an MP representing Inner Manipur it is incumbent to clear his stand in the Court.
Deshraj Yumnam claimed that Bimol Akoijam had been given 90 days since May to prove his stand, but around 160 days have passed without the matter being resolved.
He also criticised the Manipur Congress and its National leadership for not issuing any statement on the issue, stating that their silence is "condemnable and shameful."
Reacting to the BJYM rally, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) leaders N Popilal and Hareshwar Goshwami criticised the BJP for staging a protest outside Congress Bhavan, describing the move as "amusing."
The Congress leaders questioned why the ruling party was directing its protest towards the Congress and asserted that the people of Manipur stand with Bimol Akoijam amid the ongoing controversy involving the MP.
Later, at around 2 pm, the MPYC attempted to take out a protest rally towards the BJP head office.
However, security personnel deployed in the area detained the Youth Congress members soon after they came out of the Congress office complex.
A confrontation broke out between Youth Congress members and police following allegations that the protesters were trying to incite violence.
Police detained Youth Congress president Wa-hengbam Anand and ano- ther party member on charges of obstructing police personnel in the discharge of their duties and allegedly snatching the keys of a police vehicle. Both remained in custody till the time of filing this report.