Northeast Desk, 19th April: Polling faced disruptions in Manipur as incidents of malpractices and gunfire caused disturbances, leading to the shutdown of polling booths in Imphal and Moirang areas.
At 5 Thongju and 31 Khongman Zone in Imphal, polling was halted after several women accused of malpractices, prompting the polling officer to close the booths. The decision was made to maintain order and integrity in the voting process, as reported by Imphal East DC.
Simultaneously, near a polling booth in Thamanpokpi, part of the Moirang Assembly area, sudden gunfire occurred. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the loud gunfire caused panic among voters waiting to cast their votes. The incident, captured on video, shows people rushing out of the polling booth in fear upon hearing the gunshots.
These incidents have caused concern among voters and raised questions about the security and conduct of polling in Manipur. Authorities are expected to investigate the matters and ensure a safe and peaceful voting environment for citizens exercising their democratic rights.
Read More: Tripura Opposition Leader Accuses BJP of Sidelining Allies, Questions Candidate Selection