Manipur: Congress intensifies Lok Sabha elections campaign in Churachandpur

CHURACHANDPUR: As countdown to the first phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections commences, the four assembly segments of Churachandpur district is gearing up for polling for the Outer Manipur parliamentary constituency reserved for scheduled tribes (ST) on April 19.

Amidst this election fervour, Alfred Kanngam Arthur, the Congress candidate for Outer Manipur Lok Sabha constituency, accompanied by Victor Keishing, the working president of Manipur Congress, and other party leaders, visited Churachandpur on Wednesday (April 10).

Arthur, a former MLA from the Naga community, is contesting in the multi-cornered contest for the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seat as a Congress candidate.

The Congress party's active presence in Churachandpur coincides with the election commission of India's (ECI) commissioning of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and voter-verified paper audit trails (VVPATs) machines for the four assembly segments of Churachandpur district in Outer Manipur Lok Sabha constituency.

This process commenced on April 05, at the strong room building, mini-secretariat complex in Churachandpur district of Manipur, and was completed, as confirmed by officials.

The strong rooms where EVM/VVPATs are stored were sealed on Tuesday (April 09) in the presence of representatives from political parties.

A total of 465 sets of EVM machines will be utilized in 274 polling stations and 15 special polling stations for Internal Displaced Persons (IDP) or specified voters of Churachandpur district in Manipur.

The four assembly segments of Churachandpur in Outer Manipur Lok Sabha constituency, namely Henglep, Churachandpur, Saikot and Singhat, are scheduled to go to the polls on April 19.

Addressing the district and block level Congress workers’ meeting, Alfred Kanngam Arthur urged the gathering of Congress district workers to “stand up for our rights and never compromise with our due share as enshrined and guaranteed by the Constitution of India”.

He emphasized the importance of unity in fighting for rightful shares in all spheres and pledged to sincerely work for all sections of society.

Victor Keishing also addressed the Congress workers, emphasizing the protection of secularism in the democracy by the right-thinking people.

He urged all Congress workers to intensify their efforts to secure the trust of the people and held the Manipur government responsible for the deep crisis the state has been facing for the past 11 months.

Additionally, Alfred Kanngam Arthur and party workers visited the KKL relief camp at Sangai University in Kaparang, where they interacted with relief camp inmates and listened to their grievances.