DIMAPUR, Feb 9 NNN: Election funs have begun in Nagaland with cases of charges and counter charges on the rise.
\nZhaleo Rio, the younger brother of Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio had lodged a complaint in a police station here in connection an attempt to \u2018assassinate\u2019 him by unidentified persons while candidates in the Jangpetkong assembly constituency in Mokokchung district that NSCN-IM leaders are threatening them while projecting Congress party candidate I.Imkong as their sole candidate.\u2019
\nOn Friday, Neiphiu Rio\u2019s younger brother Zhaleo Rio had lodged a complaint in a police station in Dimapur saying some gunmen boarding in a Maruti Gypsy came to his house at Sovima village in Dimapur few days ago and opened fire at the house. Terming it as an \u2018assassination bid on my life\u2019 Zhaleo Rio said investigation is underway in this connection.
\nThe chief minister\u2019s brother is contesting from Ghaspani-2 assembly constituency in the outskirt of Dimapur from the Naga People\u2019s Front (NPF) ticket.
\nAt Jangpetkong assembly constituency, three intending candidates namely Dr Longriniken of NPF, Independent candidates ET Sunep and Dr K Chuba Ao have alleged that NSCN-IM cadres have been openly asking people to vote for I Imlong of the Congress party.
\nMeanwhile, in spite of the \u2018clean election campaign\u2019 spear headed by the Nagaland Baptist Churches Council (NBCC), gala feastings are in full swing.
\nA Dimapur based newspaper in its editorial has carried it today that at the minimum Rs 100 crores could have been spent by the candidates and the political parties.
\nFeasting, distribution of money and throwing wild parties are not new to Nagaland during any election time.
\nThe said daily in its editorial went on to say that some hefty Rs 300 crores was spent in the 2008 Nagaland assembly elections.
\nMeanwhile, the NBCC is spreading its message of free and fair poll in every nook and corner of Nagaland in a very swift manner. Volunteers of NBCC have been spending sleepless nights while giving awareness on their mission i.e. to have free and fair poll.
\nNon-violence, no feasting, no wild parties, no distribution of money etc., etc., are some of the preaching under \u2018free and fair election\u2019 by the Church in the state.
\nNagaland goes to the poll on February 23.<\/p>\n\n