Ukhrul (Manipur): A freshly painted mural of Naga rebel leaders Late Khodao Yanthan, Late Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah with hands holding up Naga flags in the background draws attention to the northern boundary wall of a mini stadium here. Hanging from the top right corner is a BJP flag tied to a post and on the left is that of Naga People’s Front.
The frame mirrors the current election mood in this small hill town where people are gearing up to choose a candidate to represent them in the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly but with the lingering effect of the unfinished talks between the Centre and NSCN (IM) under the Framework Agreement signed in 2015, serving as a reminder of the violent past that this northeastern part of Manipur had witnessed during the Naga insurgency.
Worthem, a middle-aged man who runs a book shop in Ukrul’s landmark Wino Bazaar, says people here are desperate for long-lasting peace and development, and he would be voting with that in mind when polling takes place on March 5 in the second phase.
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