The police have beefed up security at Narwan village after the residence of the acting waheh shnong and two other houses came under attack last night, even as the National People’s Party (NPP) attacked the Voice of the People Party (VPP) over the incident.
The supporters of the VPP are alleged to be involved in the attack of the residence of acting waheh shnong Lam Langstang those of Lom Langstang and Richard Phadong.
At around 8 PM, a mob, armed with sticks and stones, surrounded the house, and shattered its windows. No one was hurt in the incident but the family reported that they had received prior threats from VPP supporters for not backing their candidate in the Sutnga-Narwan constituency.
No one has been arrested so far.
Meanwhile, NPP general secretary and deputy chief minister Sniawbhalang Dhar has condemned the incident and said contrary to their allegations that the NPP was involved in intimidation, money, and muscle power to influence the recently concluded Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) elections, the VPP has used its “muscle power”.
“If they (VPP) had won 17 seats in Jaintia Hills, can we claim that they used muscle power? No, we respect the mandate of the people. They won 17 seats in Khasi Hills, but we did not accuse them of using muscle power.”
On the other hand newly elected NPP MDC of Sutnga-Narwan constituency Seiborlang Shadap visited the affected homes and assured help.
He also urged the people of the village to maintain peace and return to tranquility. “In elections there are winners and losers. Candidates from all parties got our share of votes and therefore I urge the supporters of VPP not to resort to such acts,” he appealed.
VPP candidate Lamsuk Langstang has expressed regret over the incident and said that the party does not provoke or condone violence. He said the incident has brought disgrace to him as the party candidate and the village and urged people to accept the fact that in elections, there is a winner and losers.
He said the attack on the house of the acting waheh shnong and others occurred in the heat of the moment, which the party does not subscribe to such emotions and acts.
