Some voters in northeast India go back to the polls after violence disrupts first day of election

GUWAHATI, India (AP) — Voters at a handful polling places in a northeastern Indian state went back to the polls amid tight security on Monday after violence disrupted the vote last week.

Indian election authorities voided the results at 11 of Manipur state's nearly 3,000 polling stations after armed men damaged election machines during the first day of voting in national elections on Friday.

State officials said that at at least six of the stations, armed men broke the electronic voting machines which citizens use to cast their ballots.

Manipur has been wracked by ethnic violence between the state’s two dominant ethnic groups since May 2023. Around 200 people have been killed and over 60,000 displaced as mobs have rampaged through villages and torched houses.

The unrest broke out when Christian Kukis protested a demand by the mostly Hindu Meiteis for a special status that would let them buy land in hills that populated by Kukis and other tribal groups. The clashes have persisted despite the army’s presence in Manipur, a state of 3.7 million people tucked in the mountains on India’s border with Myanmar.

The world’s largest democratic election began in India on Friday, as millions across 21 states cast their votes. The six-week long multi-phase election is seen as a referendum on Narendra Modi, the populist prime minister who has made Hindu nationalism mainstream as he seeks a third, straight term as the country’s leader. The votes will be counted on June 4.

The main opposition Congress party on Friday had alleged that the vote was being rigged in Manipur and demanded re-polling at 47 stations. Earlier that day, there were incidents of clashes among armed groups in the state. Despite the violence, the state saw 66.5% voter turnout.

Other parts of the state state will also head to the polls on April 26 for a second phase of voting.

This article has been edited to correct the voter turnout figure for Manipur state.

A paramilitary soldier stops a vehicle from entering a polling booth area during a re-polling in Imphal West District, Manipur, India, Monday, April 22, 2024. Voters at some polling places in this northeastern state went back to the polls amid tight security on Monday after violence disrupted the vote last week. (AP Photo/Bullu Raj)

A woman, right, casts her vote during a re-polling in Imphal West District, Manipur, India, Monday, April 22, 2024. Voters at some polling places in this northeastern state went back to the polls amid tight security on Monday after violence disrupted the vote last week. (AP Photo/Bullu Raj)

A woman carrying a child poses after casting her vote during a re-polling in Imphal West District, Manipur, India, Monday, April 22, 2024. Voters at some polling places in this northeastern state went back to the polls amid tight security on Monday after violence disrupted the vote last week. (AP Photo/Bullu Raj)

A Border Security Force soldier stands guard as women queue up to vote during a re-polling in Imphal West District, Manipur, India, Monday, April 22, 2024. Voters at some polling places in this northeastern state went back to the polls amid tight security on Monday after violence disrupted the vote last week. (AP Photo/Bullu Raj)

A woman carries a baby in a sling on her back as she shows her papers to a security personnel at a polling booth before casting her vote during the first round of polling of India's national election in Bishnupur constituency on the outskirts of Imphal, Manipur, India, Friday, April 19, 2024. Nearly 970 million voters will elect 543 members for the lower house of Parliament for five years, during staggered elections that will run until June 1. (AP Photo/Bullu Raj)

CHICAGO (AP) — Lukas Reichel made his season debut for the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night after he was a healthy scratch for the team's opening four-game trip.

Reichel skated for 8 1/2 minutes during Chicago's 4-2 victory over San Jose in its home opener. He centered the team's fourth line in his 100th career game, playing alongside veteran forwards Pat Maroon and Craig Smith.

Coach Luke Richardson said he thought Reichel made some good plays.

“I thought he was, you know, hard in the face-off circle," Richardson said. "He blocked a shot in the third period, and he was really showing initiative to take hard strides out there, whether it was tracking back, which helps our (defense), or on the offense and on the forecheck. So it was a good start for him.”

Chicago also placed Alec Martinez on injured reserve before its victory over the Sharks. Fellow defenseman Isaak Phillips was recalled from Rockford of the AHL.

The 37-year-old Martinez, who skated in each of the team's first four games, has a right groin injury. He agreed to a $4 million, one-year contract with the Blackhawks in free agency.

“I think a groin strain is what they listed it as,” Richardson said. “It’s been kind of nagging for a while, and then last game, just kind of reaggravated it a bit. So we have to just give him time.”

Richardson had no update on goaltender Laurent Brossoit and defenseman Artyom Levshunov. Brossoit had meniscus surgery on his right knee on Aug. 27. Levshunov, the No. 2 overall pick in this year's NHL draft, is coming back from a right foot injury.

“Both of them are just not ready to join the team in practice yet, but have been on the ice,” Richardson said, “and will be back on the ice after a day or two off. I think they've been going pretty hard, and that's all I know there.”

The 22-year-old Reichel was a first-round pick in the 2020 entry draft, but he has struggled with inconsistency since his NHL debut almost three years ago. He re-signed with the Blackhawks in May, finalizing a two-year contract.

If Reichel's lackluster production continues this season and Chicago decides it wants to send him back to the minors, it would have to expose him to waivers.

It looked as if Reichel had turned a corner when he had four goals and four assists in his last eight games with Chicago during the 2022-23 season. He appeared in a career-high 65 games last year, but he only managed five goals and 11 assists.

Reichel said it was tough sitting out at the beginning of this season.

“You know you want to play every game, but what I learned from last year, you got to stay positive,” he said after the team's morning skate. “Everyone knows that I want to go out there and compete and play with the boys, but all you can do in that moment, you just got to focus (on) what you can control.”

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Chicago Blackhawks left wing Lukas Reichel skates during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Blackhawks left wing Lukas Reichel skates during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Blackhawks left wing Lukas Reichel walks the red carpet before the Blackhawks' home opener NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Blackhawks left wing Lukas Reichel warms up before an NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)