Ukhrul, Manipur, March 19 (HBTV): A number of unidentified gunmen opened fire during a public meeting of the Congress party in Manipur’s Ukhrul. The party was reportedly conducting a meeting of its candidates for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections at Paurei Shirui village in Ukhrul on Monday when the incident occurred.     

The candidate, Alfred Kangnam Arthur, escaped unhurt. Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president K Meghachandra said the incident happened at about 2:00 pm when the Congress leader was participating in a village-level consultative meeting for the forthcoming elections.                

Condemning the incident in strongest terms, K Meghachandra wondered how elections would be held in the state if such incidents continue. He held the Bharatiya Janata Party-led state government responsible for the incident saying it is the prerogative of the government to provide adequate security and create an environment of safety for everyone. He also questioned the state government's claim of peace and normalcy in the state.                  

The PCC president remarked that the incident was an attempt to create panic among the party’s supporters. The Congress party is yet to make the official announcement in regard to the candidates.