After spending four months in the high security wing of the jail, life took a turn for Shyamkumar, a suspected terrorist, who won the Andro seat in east Imphal.
NEW DELHI: Thounaojam Shyamkumar is not just another Tihar inmate seeking bail. He is now a sitting MLA of the Manipur Assembly who wants to be out on bail to attend his swearing-in ceremony. After spending four months in the high security wing of the jail, life took a turn for Shyamkumar, a suspected terrorist, who won the Andro seat in east Imphal.
Shyamkumar was arrested at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport in October last year, with two other men, on charges of trying to flee from India. The Delhi Police had claimed that Shyamkumar was a suspected member of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) and was trying to flee the country at the time of his arrest.
However, the polls brought in good news for Shyamkumar who now wants to go back home to start his life anew. The first round of celebrations started with paneer pakoras and chutney, specially made after he came to know of the election result. “He had ordered for the pakoras and distributed to his friends and jail officials,” said a Tihar Jail official who did not want to be named.
“We got them prepared in the canteen on his expenses. We often prepare food for inmates in the canteen and this was no exception. The inmates are supposed to pay for the canteen food as the jail authorities only provide mess food,” he added.
This is not the first time that Shyamkumar had contested in assembly polls. During the previous election in 2002, he had contested from the same constituency under the Congress banner but did not win the seat.
This year too, Shyamkumar had desired for the Congress ticket but he was denied the privilege after he was arrested in Delhi and put behind bars. The Manipur People’s Party (MPP), a small time regional party, came to his rescue and gave a ticket under its banner.
After failing in two earlier elections, the victor won more than 18,000 votes beating his rival with more than 13,000 votes. His nearest rival of the Nationalist Congress Party, Mohammad Syed Ahmad, could only manage 5,157 votes.
Jail officials informed that Shyamkumar’s case will come up for hearing at the Tees Hazari court, and he is planning to get bail so that he can go to Manipur and take oath of office.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}