Imphal, Manipur, April 5 (HBTV): An independent candidate for the Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency in Manipur has threatened to take the state’s Chief Minister N Biren Singh's life. Following the alleged threat, supporters of his party the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have expressed outrage.                 

The incident happened on April 2 during a television talk show for an Imphal-based OTT platform Sky TV.  Independent candidate Moirangthem Tomtomsana Nongsaba expressed frustration at Singh’s handling of the Manippur crisis. He said to be so frustrated with the chief minister's way of handling the ethnic crisis in the state that he would even take the chief minister’s life if the people wanted.                

However, the candidate ‘withdrew his statement’ after the talk show host insisted.               

Taking serious note of the issue, the district election officer of Imphal East, Khumanthem Diana Devi, has directed the Imphal East superintendent of police to take necessary action. Devi said such a highly inflammatory speech by a contesting candidate may promote feelings of enmity, hatred, ill will and disharmony among different political functionaries, which may ultimately vitiate the electoral process.  

Diana Devi has called for legal action under the provisions of Section 500, 503, and 505 of the Indian Penal Code among others.                            

On April 4, the officer in charge of Imphal Police station asked Tomtosana Nongsaba to appear before the police station and comply with the investigation process by April 5.         

Reacting to the incident, the BJP state unit’s vice president Chidananda Singh condemned the statement made by the independent candidate and demanded appropriate actions.                  

Also, the BJP’s state unit Mahila president Loteeka Leima said Chief Minister N Biren Singh is someone who the party’s workers consider ‘godlike’. Statements such as the one made by Tomtomsana is condemnable and action should be taken against him, the party leader said.                         

So far, there is no reaction from Chief Minister N Biren Singh. However, officials have swiftly responded with the independent candidate being summoned to Imphal Police Station.       

Tomtomsana is a 52-year-old candidate of Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency and has now become a social media star for his outspoken nature.