Lok Sabha Polls: Violence Mars Voting In Manipur As Armed Miscreants 'Intimidate' Booth Agents, Voters

The Lok Sabha polls in Manipur were marred by alleged intimidation and firing. Armed individuals fired shots near booths and intimidated party agents. Voting was stopped in five booths due to alleged irregularities.

Lok Sabha Election 2024: Incidents of intimidation and firing marred the ongoing Lok Sabha polls in the Inner Manipur constituency, with reports emerging from at least two locations, officials disclosed on Friday. In Thamnapokpi under Moirang constituency, Bishnupur district, armed individuals discharged several rounds near a polling booth, prompting a frantic dispersal of voters, as informed by the police, news agency PTI reported. Responding swiftly, additional security personnel were dispatched to the scene to quell the situation.

Furthermore, unidentified armed individuals reportedly intimidated election agents of a particular political party at various sites, compelling them to vacate the polling stations, officials confirmed to PTI.

Similar acts of intimidation unfolded in Uripok and Iroishemba, within Imphal West district, where armed individuals coerced party agents to vacate the premises of polling stations, an official revealed, as per PTI's report. Infuriated by such tactics, voters at Iroishemba forcefully entered polling stations, resulting in the destruction of election materials and equipment, the official added.

Moreover, at Kiyamgei in Keirao constituency, Imphal East district, armed individuals fired blank shots and intimidated Congress polling agents, the report stated.

Earlier in the day, an altercation erupted at Khongman Zone 4 in Imphal East district between voters and unidentified individuals, resulting in the damage of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

News agency ANI reported a polling officer as stating that voting was stopped in a total of five booths including two in East Imphal and three in West Imphal after a ruckus broke out when people alleged irregularities.

Lok Sabha Election: Thin Turnout in Manipur's Kuki-Dominated Areas

Meanwhile, several areas within Kuki-dominated assembly segments in Outer Manipur witnessed a subdued turnout until 1 pm, officials noted, as per PTI. Notably, Saitu and Saikul constituencies in Kangpokpi district registered turnouts of 13.22 per cent and 8.58 per cent, respectively. Conversely, Henglep in Churachandpur district recorded the highest turnout among Kuki-dominated assembly segments at 49 per cent, while Churachandpur assembly segment itself recorded a turnout of 43.67 per cent. Chandel constituency, home to both Naga and Kuki voters, saw a turnout of 68.63 per cent.

However, Meitei-dominated assembly segments in Outer Manipur recorded a marginally higher turnout compared to Kuki areas. Khangabok in Thoubal district witnessed a voting percentage of 52.68 per cent, according to officials cited by PTI. 

Earlier in the day, Manipur Chief Minister and BJP leader N Biren Singh cast his vote and urged the electorate to “cast their votes to save the indigenous people of the state and protect the integrity of the state.” 

The polling process is underway in 15 assembly segments out of the total 28 constituencies of Outer Manipur on Friday.