The Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party are facing bans by underground outfits in the trouble-torn state of Manipur less than a month before the Lok Sabha election.

While the BJP has been threatened by the banned Kanglei Yawol Kann Lup, the Revolutionary People's Front said it would boycott Congress candidates for the failure of the Congress-led state government to prevent human rights violations.

In a statement, KYKL publicity secretary L Mangang said that as the BJP had disobeyed its order to expel Th Chaoba Singh, outgoing member of Parliament and state party chief, the outfit has banned all activities of the party in the state. Opening of party offices, holding of meetings, hoisting flags, canvassing for votes, and any other programme of the BJP will come under the purview of the 'ban'.

The KYKL warned that it would 'punish' all those violating the ban by shooting them. The threat will remain in place until the BJP expels Chaoba Singh, the statement said.

The KYKL had announced a 'death sentence' for Chaoba Singh more than two months ago for his alleged misdeeds. The state BJP president had even publicly begged forgiveness from the militants, but they have clearly not relented.

The Congress on the other hand has been targeted because the state government has failed to stop the alleged indiscriminate killing of innocents by security forces over the past month.

At least 15 people have been killed in encounters or in custody, triggering a spate of protests from citizens.

The RPF ban appears to be in reaction to the killings of civilians. An RPF statement warned the Congress against organising public meetings or camps for Congress candidates. "Anyone who is found defying the order will face severe punishment," said Lily Leima, assistant publicity secretary of the RPF.

Leima added: "The Congress-led ministry had turned a blind eye to the series of atrocities on citizens by central forces and ignored the suffering of the people, hence the ban."