The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Manipur): With the Lok Sabha elections in Manipur set for the 19th and 26th of April, tensions rise amidst ongoing ethnic conflicts and doubts about the election’s timing and security measures.
In Manipur, the atmosphere remains charged as the state prepares to vote under the shadow of a prolonged ethnic clash that began in May 2023. The conflict has resulted in 200 deaths and displaced over 50,000 people, impacting both Meitei and tribal communities. Despite this, signs of normal electoral campaigning are scant, with militant groups calling for a poll boycott and violence continuing unabated.
Recent disturbing incidents, including circulated videos showing violent acts in Manipur, have only heightened concerns about safety. These videos, linked to recent fatalities, underscore the severe instability in the state.
The political scene is just as fraught. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to hold a rally in Imphal, marking his first visit since promising a return over a year ago. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has notably not visited since the ethnic violence escalated, a point of contention among the local populace.
The electoral dynamics in Manipur are complex, particularly in the Outer Manipur constituency, reserved for Scheduled Tribes and now solely contested by Naga candidates after a boycott by the Kuki community. Efforts by Congress candidate Alfred Kanngam Arthur to foster broader tribal solidarity contrast sharply with the BJP’s approach, represented by Kachui Timothy Zimik, who emphasizes his potential as a unifying figure.
Amidst these political maneuvers, local BJP leaders and candidates are under pressure to defend their record on handling the state’s strife and promoting peace, a promise yet unfulfilled as the region remains mired in conflict.
Further complicating matters, the Delhi Meitei Coordinating Committee has petitioned for a postponement of the elections, citing the unstable conditions. This request underscores the critical need for a secure and peaceful environment to conduct free and fair elections, a goal that seems increasingly challenging to achieve.