Political turmoil and instability culminated in the imposition of President's Rule in Manipur, as reported by Wasbir Hussain.
Paragraph 1 Manipur, a northeastern state in India with a population of four million, has found itself under President's Rule following the resignation of its Chief Minister, N. Biren Singh, on February 9, 2023. This is the 11th time Manipur has been under President's Rule, with the first instance being in 1967.
Paragraph 2 The ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki tribes-people, which started in May 2023, has led to over 250 deaths and at least 60,000 displacements. People from the Imphal Valley and Kuki-dominated hill districts have not interacted since the violence began due to fear and distrust.
Paragraph 3 The state is currently under the presence of thousands of police, paramilitary, and Army troops, with the Union home secretary, Mr Bhalla, tasked with restoring order. The government led by N. Biren Singh had a tenure till 2027, but his resignation letter urged the Centre to maintain Manipur's territorial integrity, crack down on border infiltration, continue the fight against drugs and narco-terror, continue with the Free Movement Regime between India and Myanmar, and border fencing with Myanmar.
Paragraph 4 The audio clip, allegedly featuring the voice of Mr Biren Singh discussing the use of bombs in the hills, has led to serious allegations against him. The voice in the viral audio clip is claimed to be that of Mr Biren Singh by a Kuki group and other individuals. The audio clip may have contributed to his resignation, which was seen as an attempt to stay politically relevant in Manipur.
Paragraph 5 The BJP Legislature Party in Manipur has failed to arrive at a consensus on a new leader. Meanwhile, the Kuki-Zo MLAs have not visited Imphal for 21 months due to safety concerns. The ten Kuki-Zo MLAs in the Manipur Assembly have demanded a "comprehensive political roadmap" and "time-bound measures to end the sufferings of the internally displaced people" living in makeshift relief camps.
Paragraph 6 Kuki groups like the ITLF and the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum want a negotiated political settlement to their demand for a separate administration. Militant groups like the KNO are pushing for the elevation of the Kuki-dominated hill districts to a Union territory. However, the Meiteis are resistant to the dismemberment of Manipur, creating a potential conflict.
Paragraph 7 On February 13, 2023, the Centre imposed President's Rule in Manipur. Lakshman Prasad Acharya was appointed as the Governor of Manipur after the resignation of Mr. Biren Singh, serving since 2024. The situation in Manipur remains tense, with the hope that a peaceful and democratic resolution will be found to end the violence and restore stability to the state.
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