New Delhi, April 25 -- In the first phase of polling for India's national elections on April 19, 2024, Manipur, which sends two members to the Lok Sabha, witnessed violence, arson and gunfire. This was more than expected with the rise of Arambai Tenggol, with their armed cadres roaming freely in Manipur (https://www.southasiamonitor.org/spotlight/are-manipurs-warning-bells-going-unheeded). The numbers of Arambai Tenggol cadres have reportedly swelled to 50-60,000 strong and they are well armed, which is fuelling the ethnic conflict. Understandably, the only major pre-election rally held in Manipur was by the Home Minister Amit Shah.

The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex body of Kuki-Zo, had given a call to boycott the elections in April....