In the ongoing North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) election 2024, four Congress candidates who have filed their nominations, are currently untraceable under mysterious circumstances.
After filing nomination papers for the election, four Congress candidates, namely, Dheeraj Langthasa from the West Maibong constituency, Dongthar Thaosen from Hamri, Popil Hojai from Harangajao and Rapinath Chengwing from Hajadisa constituency remain untraceable.
The four candidates are currently estranged, and allegations have been raised that they are being forced to withdraw their nominations through fear and intimidation. While they maintain a discreet profile, there are also claims that they might be facing threats, but the current situation has been suggesting the possibility of a secret plan rather than an actual abduction.
It is noteworthy that in the recent Dima Hasao Autonomous Council elections, both the Congress and BJP parties faced tough competition in 28 constituencies. However, after the declaration of election results, the number of seats for the Congress candidates decreased to 24, signaling a setback for the party.
In a statement, Bhupen Bora, the president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee, has alleged that these candidates are being forced and tempted to withdraw their nominations for fear of intimidation. He mentioned, “We have our people, and BJP has financial and muscle power. BJP is misusing its political influence democratically, but is this unfortunate influence working for them?”
Without explicitly mentioning the names Borah alleged that some miscreant threatened the contestant in his home, asking, “Whether you consume ‘money’ or ‘bullet’?” suggesting a forceful approach towards withdrawing his candidacies.
In the past elections, two Congress candidates faced tragic incidents, with two of them being abducted and killed. Bornali Phukan, the senior spokesperson of the Pradesh Congress, has made these statements in a press conference held at Rajiv Bhavan today.
In this context, at the press conference organized at Rajiv Bhavan today, former legislator Joyram Engleng and Congress leader Nirmal Langthasa mentioned that in 1996 and 2007, Congress candidates were abducted and killed during the autonomous district council elections in the North Cachar Hills. In 1996, Samir Kemprai, the then Congress member contesting against the present BJP candidate Mohit Hojai, was abducted and killed by unknown individuals. During the confrontation against Mohit Hojai in 2007, another candidate, Ajit Bodkao, was abducted and later killed.
Congress candidates and workers from other constituencies have expressed deep concern over the missing of Congress candidates and workers, who were also receiving threats over phone. Pradesh Congress today demanded a peaceful and transparent conduct of the elections in the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council from the DGP and the State Election Commission.
Moreover, BJP candidates, who submitted their nominations for the forthcoming North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) elections in Dima Hasao, secured victories in four constituencies. This outcome leaves the BJP uncontested as candidates from the Congress party and other parties, including Independents, withdrew their nominations and remained untraceable by the final withdrawal day.
As per reports, the BJP candidate Mohit Hojai has been declared victorious without facing any opposition in the No. 10 Maibong West constituency. He previously served as the Chief Executive Member of the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC).
 election 2024, four Congress candidates who have filed their nominations, are currently untraceable under mysterious circumstances.){kind=link}