On video, sounds of gunfire exchange near Manipur polling booth
Gunshots were allegedly fired near a polling booth in Manipur on Friday morning—a 25-second purported video of the incident circulating online suggests. First phase of voting for the Lok Sabha elections began in the violence-hit state at 7:00am today. The clip shows a sequence of gunshots—two quick shots, then a third, then a rapid volley. The time and exact location of this incident within Manipur's two constituencies remains unclear. There has been no official statement from authorities as well.
Strict security arrangements in place
Tight security arrangements have been put in place for the first of the two-phased Lok Sabha polls in Manipur, which had been rocked by ethnic violence since May, 2023. The Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat—which comprises 32 of the 60 assembly segments, and 15 assembly segments of the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seat will go to polls in the first phase. Voting will be held in the remaining 13 segments of Outer Manipur in the second phase on April 26.
The purported video of the incident
6 candidates in fray from Inner Manipur seat
Six candidates, including state Education Minister Thounaojam Basanta Kumar Singh of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Angomcha Bimol Akoijam of the Congress, are vying for the Inner Manipur seat. The Republican Party of India has put forward Thounaojam Maheshwar from the seat, while three other Independent candidates are also in the fray. Voting will take place in 1,319 polling stations across Inner Manipur, with an additional 29 special polling stations designated for those displaced due to ethnic strife.
4-cornered contest in Outer Manipur seat
In Outer Manipur—a constituency reserved for Scheduled Tribes—a four-cornered contest is anticipated. The contenders include K Timothy Zimik from the Naga People's Front, Alfred Kanngam Arthur from the Congress, and Independent candidates Kho John and Alyson Abonmai, all of whom are Nagas. The BJP has opted not to field any candidate and has declared support for its ally, the NPF. Separately, 22 special polling stations have been set up in Churachandpur district and 24 in Kangpokpi for internally displaced residents.
Manipur ethnic violence
Manipur has been embroiled in ethnic violence that erupted between the majority Meiteis and the tribal Kukis last year on May 3 over the former's demand for ST status. Meiteis, who constitute 53% of the state's population, are concerned regarding the "influx of illegal immigrants" from Bangladesh and Myanmar. Meanwhile, tribals like Nagas and Kukis are worried about losing their ancestral lands. Over 200 people have been killed in the conflict, and over 50,000 have been displaced.
