Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07KOLKATA59
2007-02-16 13:00:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Kolkata
Cable title:
SECOND PHASE OF MANIPUR ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS OFFERS NO CLEAR
how-toVZCZCXRO0145 PP RUEHBI RUEHCI DE RUEHCI #0059 0471300 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 161300Z FEB 07 FM AMCONSUL KOLKATA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1414 INFO RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 1309 RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI 0557 RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI 0551 RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON 0229 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 0344 RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 0346 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 0272 RHMFIUU/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI RUEIDN/DNI WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA 1741
UNCLAS KOLKATA 000059
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM ASEC IN
SUBJECT: SECOND PHASE OF MANIPUR ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS OFFERS NO CLEAR
INDICATION OF CONGRESS'S PROSPECTS
REF: KOLKATA 0028
UNCLAS KOLKATA 000059
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM ASEC IN
SUBJECT: SECOND PHASE OF MANIPUR ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS OFFERS NO CLEAR
INDICATION OF CONGRESS'S PROSPECTS
REF: KOLKATA 0028
1. (U) On February 14, three valley districts of the Northeast
Indian state of Manipur -- Imphal West, Imphal East and
Bishnupur -- constituting 29 constituencies out of the 60-seat
Assembly, went to the second phase of the state Legislative
Assembly polls. The national-ruling Congress Party, presently
rules the state in a coalition government, the Secular
Progressive Front, with support from the Communist Party of
India (CPI). Congress has candidates in all constituencies.
The main regional opposition party Manipur People's Party (MPP)
has 25, the CPI 15, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) 15, the
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 9, the Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD) 16
and the Communist Party of India - Marxist (CPM) 1. Despite
heavy rains, a remarkable 85% voter turnout was recorded. Of
the 827 polling stations, as many as 181 were categorized as
"hyper-sensitive" and 645 as "sensitive" for security reasons in
the insurgency-torn state. Special security measures were
adopted throughout the second phase polling area and special
police protection units patrolled the election districts. The
first phase was held in 19 constituencies on February 8 and the
third and final phase will be conducted in 12 constituencies on
February 23. Counting of votes will take place on February 27.
2. (SBU) While the polling was generally peaceful, a series of
violent incidents occurred in the run-up to the second phase.
On February 12, a Congress worker was shot at but not injured in
Heirangoithong and gunmen also attempted without success to kill
a presiding officer of a polling station for allegedly
distributing money among voters on behalf of a Congress
candidate. Industry minister and CPI candidate for the Kumbi
seat, N. Mangi Singh, accused Congress workers of kidnapping one
of his men and lodged a complaint with the chief election
officer. On February 9, three Central Reserve Police Force
(CRPF) constables were among five persons killed and 10 others
injured when United National Liberation Front (UNLF) militants
attacked a poll party in Ukhrul district (Naga area bordering
Burma). In addition to the CRPF personnel, a polling official
and a driver of state police were also killed.
3. (SBU) The outcome of polls in the twin Imphal districts and
Bishnupur, where the majority of the voters are Meiteis (ethnic
Manipuris),is expected to determine which party or coalition
will form the next government. Contacts said that no party is
expected to gain absolute majority, and a hung assembly is
possible. Congress's principal rival in the state, the regional
MPP, advocates for greater Meitei rights, with one of its key
agendas the repeal of the controversial Armed Forces Special
Powers Act (AFSPA),which grants the military broad authority to
arrest, detain and to seize property.
JARDINE
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM ASEC IN
SUBJECT: SECOND PHASE OF MANIPUR ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS OFFERS NO CLEAR
INDICATION OF CONGRESS'S PROSPECTS
REF: KOLKATA 0028
1. (U) On February 14, three valley districts of the Northeast
Indian state of Manipur -- Imphal West, Imphal East and
Bishnupur -- constituting 29 constituencies out of the 60-seat
Assembly, went to the second phase of the state Legislative
Assembly polls. The national-ruling Congress Party, presently
rules the state in a coalition government, the Secular
Progressive Front, with support from the Communist Party of
India (CPI). Congress has candidates in all constituencies.
The main regional opposition party Manipur People's Party (MPP)
has 25, the CPI 15, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) 15, the
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 9, the Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD) 16
and the Communist Party of India - Marxist (CPM) 1. Despite
heavy rains, a remarkable 85% voter turnout was recorded. Of
the 827 polling stations, as many as 181 were categorized as
"hyper-sensitive" and 645 as "sensitive" for security reasons in
the insurgency-torn state. Special security measures were
adopted throughout the second phase polling area and special
police protection units patrolled the election districts. The
first phase was held in 19 constituencies on February 8 and the
third and final phase will be conducted in 12 constituencies on
February 23. Counting of votes will take place on February 27.
2. (SBU) While the polling was generally peaceful, a series of
violent incidents occurred in the run-up to the second phase.
On February 12, a Congress worker was shot at but not injured in
Heirangoithong and gunmen also attempted without success to kill
a presiding officer of a polling station for allegedly
distributing money among voters on behalf of a Congress
candidate. Industry minister and CPI candidate for the Kumbi
seat, N. Mangi Singh, accused Congress workers of kidnapping one
of his men and lodged a complaint with the chief election
officer. On February 9, three Central Reserve Police Force
(CRPF) constables were among five persons killed and 10 others
injured when United National Liberation Front (UNLF) militants
attacked a poll party in Ukhrul district (Naga area bordering
Burma). In addition to the CRPF personnel, a polling official
and a driver of state police were also killed.
3. (SBU) The outcome of polls in the twin Imphal districts and
Bishnupur, where the majority of the voters are Meiteis (ethnic
Manipuris),is expected to determine which party or coalition
will form the next government. Contacts said that no party is
expected to gain absolute majority, and a hung assembly is
possible. Congress's principal rival in the state, the regional
MPP, advocates for greater Meitei rights, with one of its key
agendas the repeal of the controversial Armed Forces Special
Powers Act (AFSPA),which grants the military broad authority to
arrest, detain and to seize property.
JARDINE