India's Manipur overcomes fear of violence to vote

STORY: Gunshots rang out in India's Manipur on Friday... as large numbers of voters cast ballots in the violence-torn state for the world’s largest election.

There is a shadow over the election in this part of the country.

In the past year, over 200 people have died in ethnic clashes.

The state has been roiled by fighting between the majority Meitei and tribal Kuki people since May.

On Friday there were scattered incidents of violence.

An election official said there were at least six instances of armed groups trying to take over polling stations in the state capital Imphal.

Both parliamentary seats in Manipur were won by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP party and its ally in 2019 – and polls predict an easy victory in the country for him this year, too.

Modi has not visited Manipur during the past 11 months of strife.

And many residents say they feel ignored.

Nenzboi Lhungdim is a Kuki nurse living in a relief camp.

She lost her home in the violence and finds solace in attending church with other camp residents.

She wants peace – and hopes her vote could help.

“I think it (my vote) will definitely change our present situation in the future.”

Unlike Lhungdim, many residents abstained from voting in the Kuki-dominated areas, with tribal bodies asking people not to participate in the election due to the violence.

The violence in Manipur broke out last year over the potential extension of affirmative action rights available to the Kukis, who make up 16% of the state's population... to the Meiteis, who comprise 53% of the people.

Sangeeta Ningthoujan, who is Meitei, also lives in a relief camp.

She was forced to flee her home last year with her younger daughter.

But she says when she went to vote on Friday - her name wasn’t on the list.

“I feel bad. I feel bad. I want to elect a person who can hear our voice. But I don’t have a chance to cast a vote.”

Officials say they’ve tried to make sure nearly 25,000 displaced people can vote... replacing lost identity cards, verifying voter names and setting up polling booths for people in camps.

The state of 3.6 million people had a voter turnout of about 68% by the time polling stations closed Friday.

A second phase of voting in Manipur will take place on April 26.

In the country as a whole, the multi-day vote will run until early June, with results expected on June 4.