President’s Rule Enforced in Manipur Following Chief Minister’s Resignation
- India International Affairs South Asia
Shreya Naskar- 0
- 3 minutes read
In a significant move, President Draupadi Murmu has imposed President’s Rule in Manipur, effective immediately, amid prolonged ethnic violence and political instability in the northeastern state. This decision transfers state administrative powers to the central government, aiming to restore order in a region experiencing intense conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities.
The imposition of President’s Rule comes after Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned on February 9, following nearly two years of unrest that has claimed hundreds of lives and displaced approximately 60,000 individuals. The central government’s decision is expected to last up to six months, subject to parliamentary approval.
The unrest in Manipur is rooted in ethnic tensions between the majority Meitei community and the minority Kuki tribes. Disputes over economic benefits, job quotas, and land rights have escalated into violence, prompting concerns about the state government’s ability to maintain law and order.
As per reports, besides ethnic tensions and all other concerns mentioned, the unstable political scenario in Manipur is also a result of international interference from Bangladesh, a huge number of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants have started to settle in Manipur by hiding their real identity.
Border fencing has been at its peak. Besides that, now the Indian forces are carrying out biometric tracking at India-Myanmar borders and allowed the movement of 7,000 people after the collection of their documents and biometric registration. The imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur marks the 11th time the state has
come under direct central rule since 1951. This move effectively suspends the state government’s authority, with the President exercising the powers of the Governor and Parliament assuming legislative responsibilities. As the central government takes direct administrative control, security has been tightened in the capital city of Imphal. The move is seen as an attempt to restore stability and normalize the situation in Manipur, which has been plagued by ethnic violence and political instability for nearly two years.
In response to the development, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi welcomed the imposition of the President’s Rule, stating that it is a “belated admission” by the BJP of its inability to govern Manipur.
