Gunfire, EVMs Destroyed, Anger In Crisis-Hit Manipur Amid Chaotic Voting

Ethnic violence-hit Manipur today reported 68 per cent turnout when voting ended at 4 pm, in what was seen as one of the lowest turnout in the state.

Several incidents of vadalism, armed people threatening voters not to come out of their homes, four incidents of damaging electronic voting machines (EVM), allegations of proxy voting by an armed group, and one incident of firing were reported.

Four people were injured in firing.

Visuals from a polling booth in Khaidem in Imphal West show a group of people breaking an electronic voting machine (EVM) over allegations that an armed group voted by proxy on behalf of some 100 people, sources said.

Soon, Inner Manipur Congress candidate A Bimol Akoijam rushed to the polling booth and spoke with the security personnel and polling agents.

BJP sources alleged most of the locations from where violence were reported are Congress strongholds and “compromised areas”.

Security sources who have been monitoring the incidents have given details of the violence.

EVMs destroyed in:

Bamon Kampu polling station at Kshetrigao assembly constituency, Imphal East. Sekmaijin Khunao Mamang polling station, Kakching.Thongju assembly constituency polling station, Imphal East.Iroishemba Mamang Leikai polling station and Uripok assembly constituency, Imphal West.Khongman Zone-V polling station under Thongju assembly constituency, Imphal East.Khurai Thongam Leikai’s S Ibobi Primary School under Khurai assembly constituency, Imphal East.

Assault and firing incidents:

Two people, K Johnson and Sorokhaibam Sunil, were assaulted at Arapati Maning polling station under Keirao assembly constituency in Imphal East. They were taken to Amina Hospital in Lilong.A group of unidentified people came in a white Fortuner SUV and fired a few rounds on people in Moirang Kampu Primary School polling station. An individual, Koisnam Sanayaima, was hit by a bullet.Unidentified people opened fire at Wangoo polling station in Kakching.Unidentified people fired nearly 30 rounds Thamnapokpi polling station under Moirang assembly constituency in Bishnupur.

Proxy voting allegation:

Voting stopped due to allegations of proxy voting at Khaidem Upper Primary School polling booth under Konthoujam assembly constituency in Imphal West.

The Election Commission in a statement said the country saw a high turnout in phase 1 of the Lok Sabha elections despite a heat wave. The EC said polling is complete for 10 states and Union Territories including most states in the northeast.

The tentative figure of voter turnout across 21 states and UTs is over 60 per cent at 7 pm. The voting percentage is likely to go upwards when reports from all polling stations come as polling is scheduled till 6 pm in many constituencies.