After observing a lack of enthusiasm during the initial phase of voting in some North East constituencies, the Election Commission, local administration, and political parties have collaborated to encourage greater participation in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections on Friday. Several constituencies in sensitive areas, including Manipur and Tripura, will see polling.
During the first phase of polling on April 19, parts of Manipur experienced violence as assailants fired at a polling booth in the state, causing panic and disruptions. Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were damaged, and allegations of coercion and intimidation were made. The state has faced unrest for the last few months.
On Wednesday, a key bridge on National Highway 2 connecting the state capital Imphal to cities in neighboring Assam and Nagaland was damaged in several bomb attacks by insurgents. The sabotage stranded over 150 trucks on the highway.
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Security forces conducted a combing operation in villages near the damaged bridge in the Kuki-Zo-majority district. In the foothills near Sekmai, approximately 22 km from Kangpokpi, gunfights have been ongoing between armed groups for the past two days.
The attack on the bridge comes two days before voting in the remaining seats of the Outer Manipur reserved Lok Sabha constituency, amid the nearly year-long ethnic violence between the Kuki-Zo tribes and the Meiteis, who dominate the valley.
In addition, arms and ammunition were recovered on Wednesday in a joint operation by the Indian Army and Manipur Police in Imphal East district, a violence-affected area.
In Manipur, tensions between the Kuki-Zo tribes and Meiteis have persisted for 11 months since clashes erupted between the two communities over disputes regarding land, resources, political representation, and affirmative action policies.
Meanwhile, comprehensive measures have been implemented to ensure free, fair, and peaceful elections in the Tripura East parliamentary constituency, which will hold polls in the second and final phase on Friday.
A total of 13.96 lakh voters are eligible to cast their votes, including 7.02 lakh males, 6.94 lakh females, and 13 transgender individuals.
The constituency includes 38,245 voters aged 18-19 years, 4,678 service voters, and 8,942 voters above the age of 85. Additionally, 16,260 Bru voters, residing in various locations, will participate in the parliamentary constituency.
Assam is prepared for a triangular and direct contest during the second phase of the three-phased polls in five constituencies, which will decide the fate of 61 candidates on Friday.
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