After the Election Commission announced the schedule for the Lok Sabha elections, officials in strife-torn Manipur have issued orders directing licensed gun holders to deposit their arms at the nearest police stations to prevent any untoward incident during the elections. The order has been issued by District Magistrates in the northeastern state to "ensure no untoward incidents occur during the conduct of elections. Polling for the two Lok Sabha seats in Manipur will be held on April 19 and 26.
The Office of District Magistrate Thoubal issued the order stating: "All licensees of Thoubal district shall deposit their licensed arms and ammunition to the concerned nearest police stations before March 23, failing which their licensed arms will be confiscated by district police administration...with a view to maintain law and order and to ensure peaceful conduct of the 18th general election to the Lok Sabha."
Meanwhile, another order issued by District Magistrate Kangpokpi Mahesh Chaudhari said the prohibition on "possession and carrying of firearms of any kind by arms by license holders... with immediate effect till the process of elections is completed", asking for "arrangements for safe and secure deposit of licensed arms and ammunition.
The orders will not apply to those "entitled to display weapons by long-standing laws, custom and usage, to those nationalised/ private banks," news agency PTI reported.
The Election Commission on Saturday announced that voting in the outer Manipur constituency will be held in two phases and those living in camps would be allowed to vote from the camps. Addressing questions on the number of seats rising to 544 from 543, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said the increased number was due to the Outer Manipur being counted twice since the voting will be conducted in two phases there.
While Inner Manipur and some parts of Outer Manipur will go for polls in the first phase on April 19, the remaining segments will be facing the polls in the second phase vote in the first phase on April 19, the remaining segments of Outer Manipur will vote in the second phase on April 26.