“12 Tribal MLAs Outside Manipur Urge EC for 50,000 Displaced Voting.”
“Ten tribal MLAs from Manipur’s Kuki-Zomi-Hmar community have appealed to the Election Commission in Imphal. They request special voting arrangements for 50,000 displaced tribals. The tribals are scattered nationwide due to ethnic violence that erupted on May 3 last year within the state, emphasizing the need for inclusive democratic participation.”
“In a letter addressed to Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, the ten MLAs emphasized that eligible voters among the 50,000 displaced Kuki-Zomi-Hmar individuals outside Manipur must be facilitated to vote. They proposed the use of Aadhaar cards and other valid documents for voting, considering that many may have lost their voter identity cards amidst the displacement.”
“After the conflict in Manipur on May 3 last year, many fled Imphal Valley due to looting, burning, and destruction of homes, properties, and churches.”
The ten tribal MLAs from Manipur’s Kuki-Zomi-Hmar community have shed light on the harrowing aftermath of the communal violence that erupted on May 3 last year. In a poignant plea to Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, they highlighted the devastating toll it has taken on their people.
The letter revealed a grim reality—over 160 innocent civilians from their community have lost their lives in the violence. This staggering loss of life is coupled with the destruction of more than 360 churches, 205 villages, and 7,000 houses across the Imphal Valley and various hill districts.
The once vibrant Imphal Valley has become a place of sorrow, with the echoes of burnt homes and shattered communities haunting its landscapes. Fleeing for their lives, many have been forced to abandon everything they knew, seeking refuge far from the turmoil that shattered their lives.
The MLAs painted a stark picture of the diaspora that has resulted from this tragedy. Their people, displaced and scattered, now find themselves seeking shelter in Mizoram, Assam, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Delhi, and numerous other cities across India. The pain of displacement runs deep, as families are torn apart and communities uprooted from their ancestral lands.
Amidst this turmoil, the MLAs emphasized the urgent need for their people to have a voice in the democratic process. They pleaded for the Election Commission to make provisions for the approximately 50,000 displaced Kuki-Zomi-Hmar individuals to cast their votes. Recognizing that many may have lost their voter identity cards in the chaos, they proposed the use of Aadhaar cards and other valid documents as alternatives.
The letter spoke not just of a political request, but of a fundamental right—one that is enshrined in the very fabric of India’s democratic principles. The MLAs highlighted Article 326 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the right to universal adult franchise. They implored the Election Commission to ensure that this tragedy does not strip their people of this essential right.
In the face of unimaginable loss and displacement, these tribal MLAs stand as voices of resilience and determination. They refuse to let their suffering be in vain, urging for a democratic process that includes all, even those scattered far from their homes. Theirs is a plea for justice, for recognition, and for the basic human right to have a say in the future of their communities and their land.
The letter warned that without suitable arrangements, displaced voters across the country risk being deprived of their constitutional right to vote, as guaranteed under the Indian Constitution.
The state currently operates approximately 320 relief camps, accommodating over 59,000 individuals, including men, women, and children, who are seeking shelter in these distressing circumstances.
Manipur’s two Lok Sabha seats will see polling in different phases. The Inner Manipur parliamentary constituency will vote in the first phase on April 19. The Outer Manipur seat, reserved for tribals, will have polling on April 19 and April 26, split across two phases.