Cops say no to poll duty passing Kuki areas

Imphal, Apr 22
Many Manipur police who were assigned for election duties staged a demonstration at Imphal on Monday and refused to resume duty 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, all belonging to the Meitei community fear for their lives in the Tamenglong district as they have to pass Kangpokpi district predominantly inhabited by the Kukis.
The ongoing communal violence between the Kukis and Meiteis has claimed the lives of over 222 individuals including 9 policemen in the State.
The Manipur Government had issued an order for 260 police personnel for election duty in Tamenglong of which 197 belong to the Meitei community.
On Monday, the 197 police personnel staged a demonstration in front of Ghanapriya Women’s College, Imphal refusing to report to the officials concerned.
Police personnel tasked with the election duty in Tamenglong said, “We are not refusing our bounden duties. We are requesting the officials concerned to allot the election duties at less vulnerable districts/locations.”
For the second phase of elections, Manipur will go to the polls 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.
NE Now