Manipur police refuse to execute election duties in fear of lives in Kuki-inhabited areas

Imphal: Many Manipur police who were assigned for election duties staged a demonstration at Imphal on Monday and refused to resume their duties in Tamenglong district which will go to the elections for the Outer Manipur Parliamentary constituency reserved for scheduled tribes on April 26.

These striking police personnel in the Meitei community fear for their lives to render their election duties in the Tamenglong district as at their best individual/personnel they have to pass the Kangpokpi district predominantly inhabited by the Kukis.

The ongoing communal violence between the Kukis and Meiteis cost the lives of over 222 individuals including 9 policemen in the state.

The Manipur government has issued an order for 260 police personnel for election duties in Tamenglong of which 197 belong to the Meitei community.

On Monday, these 197 police personnel assigned for election duties staged a demonstration in front of the Ghanapriya Women's College, Imphal refusing to report to the concerned officials.

Police personnel tasked with the election duties in Tamenglong said, “We are not refusing our bounden duties. We are requesting the officials concerned to allot the election duties at the less vulnerable district/locations.”

For the second phase of elections, Manipur will go to the poll on April 26 in 13 assembly segments of eight districts located in the border areas of this strife state.

The first phase of elections for the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat and Outer Manipur LS seat in 47 assembly segments was held on April 19 with 72 per cent voting.

For the Outer seat, a total of four candidates — Indian National Congress, Naga People's Front, and two independents are in the electoral frays.