Let's Give Free and Fair Elections a Chance: A Message to All the Voters for the Second Phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024

Dear Brethren, we will be embarking on a new journey soon as we are electing a new Member of Parliament (MP), I am delighted to pen down a few words from the bottom of my heart. This message is for all the tribals of Outer Manipur, particularly the Nagas, who will be voting in the second phase of polling on 26 April 2024.

Brethren, we all know that the first phase of polling for the Lok Sabha elections in Manipur was held on 19 April 2024 amidst uncertainty and fears. In many parts of the Valley districts, the festival of democracy was marred by unprecedented violence in which at least three people were reportedly arrested for violent activities. Following massive outrage from the opposition parties, a repoll was also conducted in 11 polling stations on 22 April.

During the first phase, we observed two contrasting pictures in the Kuki-dominated districts of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi. Whereas Churachandpur district reported a reasonably high percentage of voting, most of the polling stations in Kangpokpi wore a deserted look, much like what was witnessed in Eastern Nagaland. For the first time in the hills of Manipur, voting was not on ethnic lines but against Mr. N. Biren Singh and his government for what they have done to the minority Christian tribals, particularly the Kuki-Zo community. A similar pattern was witnessed in some other pockets as well.

Unlike Churachandpur, the Kukis of Kangpokpi district decided to abstain from voting to show their respect to the departed souls who lost their lives in the ongoing ethnic turmoil. As recently as on 13 April, two innocent Kuki village volunteers were brutally killed and their bodies were chopped into pieces in the most barbaric manner by radicalised Meiteis in the name of Arambai Tenggols in Phailengmol Area of Kangpokpi district. One of the hands was seen fixed on a tree presumably as a sign of victory, or to show that the Kukis shouldn't vote in the election.

As we are aware, the tribals follow the tradition of giving utmost respect to the deaths, even if it belong to the enemy, and until final rituals are performed for their deaths, a gena must be observed. So, under such circumstances, the Kukis of Kangpokpi district couldn't participate in the festival of the largest democracy in the world. This tradition of showing respect to dead bodies is very much in contrast to the moral principles of the Meitei community as witnessed on multiple occasions. If they had the heart of a real human being, they could have at least handed over the dead bodies to the concerned authority instead of dumping them in an undisclosed location. But this is what they are.

For the Kukis of Kangpokpi district, since we lost two previous lives in such a gruesome manner with their heads and limbs chopped off, we were compelled to abstain from the poll. If it were not for this barbarism, we would have voted as our counterparts in Churachandpur and other districts. However, it shouldn't be forgotten that most of the Nagas and Nepali voters of Kangpokpi district were allowed to exercise their franchise as usual.

It should also be noted that, unlike the valley where there was unprecedented violence, booth capturing, proxy voting, destruction and vandalisation of polling booths, and even gunshots near polling stations, videos and images of which went viral, not even a single violent incident or electoral malpractices was reported from the hill districts covered by the first phase of polling.

Now, as the second phase of the poll arrives, it is expected that voting in the remaining districts will also witness free and fair elections as in the Kuki-dominated districts where polling was held in the first phase. Since all the candidates belong to the Naga tribes, who are all well suited to represent the Outer Manipur (ST) constituency, it is our earnest appeal that any form of violent activity which could tarnish the beauty of democratic elections must be avoided. Let free and fair elections be given a chance as whoever gets elected will represent not only the Nagas but the whole of Outer Manipur.

In the previous Lok Sabha elections, voting was usually on ethnic lines, but this time, even though the new MP will be a Naga, he will be elected with the votes of all the tribal communities.

It is also worth noting that the prevailing circumstances had compelled the Kukis from contesting. This is, in a way, a blessing in disguise as it will go a long way in bridging whatever ethnic divide the two tribal communities have in the past. To be honest, there was no dearth of candidates willing to contest this Lok Sabha elections, but the community leaders of Kuki top bodies decided not to sponsor candidates from the Kuki community to avoid any misunderstanding that may crop up during the process of election.

Here, whether the Kukis were in a position to win or not is a different area of concern altogether, but giving a free hand to the Naga brethren this time amidst an ethnic cleansing campaign spearheaded by the dominant community is a message loud and clear enough for all who can hear.

Moreover, since it is difficult to erase digital footprints once left behind in today's world, no violent incident or electoral malpractice that could tarnish the image of the tribal community should be avoided at all costs. Rather, it is high time to show the world that the tribals of Outer Manipur are no longer what they think of as in the past--uncivilized, barbaric, and savage. Unprecedented violence and electoral malpractices in the valley, and free and fair, and peaceful elections in the hills, will send a clear message to the corridors of power that be. After all, whoever wins will be a Naga!

We wish all the tribal communities within the Outer Manipur, and the four candidates, the very best! May the Almighty lead us towards a new path for a better future. And, may whoever wins this election be a symbol of peace and unity among the tribals of Outer Manipur and beyond.

(Courtesy: KSO Bulletin, Thingkho le Malcha, Issue no.219, 25 April 2024).