All eyes are on Manipur today as voting in the Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency and 15 Assembly Constituencies of Outer Manipur PC is under progress. As expected, the Lok Sabha elections in the State has been marred by reports of violence and booth capturing.
Several eligible voters have taken to social media to express their discontent as their Constitutional Right to vote were snatched away.
There are 6 candidates contesting for the Inner Manipur PC: Dr Angomcha Bimol Akoijam (INC), Thounaojam Basanta Kumar Singh (BJP), Maheshwar Thounaojam (RPI-Athawale), Moirangthem Totomshana Nongshaba (IND), Rajkumar Somendro Singh (IND) and Haorungbam Sarat Singh (IND).
For the Outer Manipur PC, there are four candidates: Alfred Kanngam S. Arthur (INC), Kachui Timothy Zimik (NPF), Alyson Abonmai (IND) and S. Kho John (IND). While 15 A/Cs vote today, polling in the remaining 13 A/Cs will take place in the 2nd phase on 26th April 2024.
Today, INC candidate for Inner Manipur Akoijam had a heated argument with a police officer at Kyamgei Heibong Makhong High School, Imphal over his polling agents being threatened and forcefully removing them from their places.
The Hindu reported that gunfire at a polling station at Thamanpokpi under Moirang Assembly segment, Imphal under the Inner Manipur PC. In the video that has gone viral, people can be seen scrambling from safety.
Imphal Free Press reported that following an alleged booth capturing by “armed miscreants” at Thongju A/C in Imphal East which also falls under Inner Manipur PC, the enraged public threw the EVM out and thereby breaking it.
Booth capturing has also been alleged New Lambulane, Imphal and Iroisemba polling station in Imphal West.
In Thamnapokpi in Bishnupur district, which is under Outer Manipur PC, three persons were reported injured in clashes among armed groups, Imphal Free Press said.
Meanwhile in the Kuki-Zo dominated Kangpokpi district, IFP has said that no voter had turned up till 1:00 pm.
The Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills had earlier urged its voters to abstain from voting in the Lok Sabha polls while Kuki Inpi Churachandpur had asked people to vote against Chief Minister N Biren Singh.
It may be noted that over 60,000 people are reportedly displaced due to the violence that broke out in May 2023 and the Election Commission of India has arranged for special polling stations for the thousands staying at relief camps.
