Kangpokpi sees 'empty polling stations'
Source: Chronicle News Service
Kangpokpi, April 21 2024:
Most of the polling stations out of the 178 in Kangpokpi district witnessed complete voter abstention during the first phase of the 18th Lok Sabha Election, 2024 on Friday.
The Kuki-Zo community constitute the majority population in most polling stations across the three assembly constituencies - Saikul, Kangpokpi, and Saitu, while a few polling stations have the presence of Nagas and Nepalese.
The 'empty polling stations' emblematic of the Kuki-Zo's abstention, echoes their resounding dissatisfaction with the government.
The 24 polling stations designated as "special polling stations'" for displaced voters both in Inner and Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituencies, the three model polling stations, and most of the 77 polling stations managed exclusively by women witnessed 'zero voter turnout' till the end of voting at 4 pm apart from other polling stations in Kangpokpi assembly constituency.
A similar situation was also witnessed in Saikul and Saitu assembly constituencies.
However, a small number of polling stations, primarily constituted by communities like Nagas and Nepalese, and polling stations exclusively managed by Persons with Disabilities, saw voters exercising their franchise rights, albeit in very low percentage.
It may be recalled that the Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills, the apex body of the Kuki tribes in the district, issued a strong statement urging all Kuki residents in Sadar Hills to refrain from participating in the upcoming Lok Sabha Election.
However, it made it clear that their approach to the Lok Sabha Polls is not about 'boycotting' but rather choosing to abstain from voting.
Considering the public pressure, in collaboration with all stakeholders recognised by the Kuki Inpi Manipur, the Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills and various Kuki-Zo civil bodies made a unanimous decision to abstain from voting in the election.
The unanimous decision was endorsed by the Committee on Tribal Unity and also at the local level by local town bodies and village authorities.
Speaking to the media, KSO Sadar Hills general secretary K Shongreng underscored that the zero per cent turnout among the Kuki community in the Sadar Hills Kuki area is a stark testament to their profound resentment with the government.
He emphasised to the Central government that without addressing the political crisis faced by the Kukis through proper legal channels, discontent would persist among the Kuki-Zo people.
"The unresolved political crisis we endure under the law of the land, compounded by killings, assaults on our village and churches, and the rampant pillaging of our properties eludes us from the prospect of voting in peace," Shongreng asserted.