The Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat and parts of Outer Manipur are polling today, against a backdrop of ethnic tensions between the Meiteis and the Kuki-Zo tribal community.
Despite extensive security measures, the first phase of Lok Sabha elections in Inner Manipur constituency on April 19 saw incidents of violence. At a polling station in Thamanpokpi under the Moirang Assembly segment, gunfire erupted, causing panic among voters. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties, though three individuals sustained injuries, prompting authorities to enhance security in the area.
A viral video captured the chaos as voters fled the polling booth amid the sound of gunfire. Reports of vandalism emerged from a polling station in the Thongju Assembly seat in Imphal East district. Violence was also reported at the Iroisemba polling station in Imphal West, where there were allegations of EVM destruction. Polling was stopped at several locations, including 5 Thongju and 31 Khongman zone in Imphal, due to disruptions caused by alleged irregularities and unrest among voters.
The Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat and parts of Outer Manipur are polling today, against a backdrop of ethnic tensions between the Meiteis and the Kuki-Zo tribal community.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh cast his vote at Luwangsangbam Mamang Leikai and urged residents to participate in the electoral process to safeguard the state”s indigenous population and territorial integrity.
“I want to appeal to the people of Manipur to cast their votes and save the indigenous population of the state as well as to protect the integrity of the state and bring peace at the earliest,” Biren Singh said.
The BJP has not fielded any candidate and has declared support for its ally NPF. “We have to make Modi (ji) Prime Minister for the third term and I had the opportunity for that. I want to appeal to my brothers and sisters of the state to cast their vote for BJP and strengthen Modi,” he said.
By 9 am on Friday, approximately 12.6% of the over 15.44 lakh eligible voters had cast their votes for the two Lok Sabha seats in Manipur affected by ethnic violence. Inner Manipur recorded a 13.82% turnout, while Outer Manipur saw an 11.57% turnout within the first two hours of voting.
