In a troubling turn of events in Manipur, multiple gunshots were fired at a polling station in Moirang Assembly Constituency’s Thamanpokpi area on Friday.
Despite the alarming incident, no casualties were reported, providing some relief amidst the panic that ensued among voters, who had queued up to cast their ballots during the inaugural phase of the Lok Sabha Elections.
A widely circulated video capturing the chaotic aftermath depicts frightened voters fleeing the polling booth upon hearing the gunfire, underscoring the unsettling atmosphere surrounding the electoral process.
Amidst high security arrangements put in place, the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat and parts of Outer Manipur headed to the polling booths on Friday in a State which has been hit by ethnic violence over the last one year between Meiteis, who reside in the Imphal Valley, and the Kuki-Zo tribal community, who live in the hills.
Meanwhile, a police officer informed a few places have witnessed stray incidents of unrest. Local residents and unidentified miscreants were engaged in a scuffle which broke out in Thongju Assembly constituency under the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat.
It is pertinent to mention Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh cast his ballot at Luwangsangbam Mamang Leikai on April 19 and appealed to the electorate to show up in the polling booths to save the indigenous people of the State and protect its territorial integrity.
It is to be noted that the BJP has not fielded any candidate and has declared support for its ally NPF. The Manipur CM urged the voters to re-elect Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the third term and cast their vote in favour of the BJP for the Vision of Developed Bharat.
