IMPHAL, Mar 21: In the backdrop of recent attacks against Congress party workers by armed persons Congress workers at an emergency PCC meeting highlighted strong apprehension regarding partici- pation in the election campaigns.
According to a source, the said meeting held yesterday at the Congress Bha- van was presided by the MPCC (I) president Gaikha-ngam and was attended by a number of senior party members including the Rajya Sabha MP Rishang Keishing, Congress MLAs, PCC members as well as top leaders of district and block Congress committees.
Amidst presence of the top party leaders, the Congress workers reportedly expressed fear and apprehension of joining poll campaigns as they disclosed of being threatened to dissociate from the election-related activities and to tender resignations from Congress memberships.
The anxious party workers also urged the State Go- vernment to chalk out an amicable settlement to the problem and control the pre-vailing situation failing which they will not be in a position to sustain the campaign momentum for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, confided the source.
Some among the Congress workers who bared their hearts to the top party leaders at the meeting also lambasted SPF Ministers for allegedly neglecting and ignoring dedicated workers whenever there is employment opportunities or in allotment of contracts works.
They reportedly accus-ed the Ministers of favou- ring and benefitting relatives and close aides rather than initiating welfare pro-grammes for the party wor- kers who nevertheless are exposed to risks during election times as they (workers) are ones asked to establish people-to-people contact for success of Congress candidates.
MP Rishang Keishing, who also addressed the ga-thering shared his appre- hension on overall security of the party workers active in poll related activities particularly in the valley areas, the source maintained.
The former Chief Minister is informed to have conceded that with the ongoing peace talks and sus- pension of operation Congress workers involved in election campaigns in the hill areas are relatively safer compared to their valley colleagues and strongly desired that the State Govern- ment take all possible measures in alleviating fear psychosis of party loyalists.
The MPCC chief Gaikhangam acknowledging apprehension of the party workers in the wake of violent acts by armed persons assured of intimating the issue to the Chief Minister O Ibobi Dingh after the latter’s return to the State capital as matter and controlling law and order of the State is the obligation of the Government, added the source.

TSE