Lok Sabha Election 2024: Gunfire Disrupts Polling in the First Phase in Manipur as Miscreants Attempt to Take Control of Polling Booth in the Bishnupur District

Violence marred the first phase of Lok Sabha election 2024 in Manipur on Friday. Gunfire erupted at the Thamnapokpi Upper Primary School in the Bishnupur district within the Moirang Assembly segment at around 9 am. Authorities swiftly intervened, deploying additional police forces to assert control over the area. Despite the disruption, no casualties were reported, and the voting process resumed shortly afterward. A video of the miscreants firing has gone viral on social media.

The locals present in the sight of firing have claimed that miscreants attempted to take control of the polling booth. As per reports, blank firing continued for over 10 minutes straight, causing fear among the people present.

In addition, isolated incidents of unrest were reported in several locations, according to a statement from a police official. A confrontation erupted between locals and unidentified individuals in the Thongju Assembly constituency, which falls under the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat. Security across the northeastern state has been beefed up as the two Lok Sabha constituencies - Inner Manipur and Outer Manipur have gone into polling in the first phase.

Meanwhile, Manipur's Chief Minister N Biren Singh cast his vote at Luwangsangbam Mamang Leikai and emphasized the importance of voting to safeguard the indigenous population of the state and uphold its territorial integrity. Singh urged Manipur's residents to participate in the electoral process to bring about peace and stability promptly. "I want to appeal to the people of Manipur to cast their votes and save the indigenous population of the state as well as to protect the integrity of the state and bring peace at the earliest," said Singh.​