The Congress on Friday (February 14, 2025) said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should take up the responsibility of Manipur after the Centre’s realisation of the ground situation in the ethnic violence-scarred State led to the imposition of President’s Rule.
President’s Rule was promulgated in Manipur on Thursday night after 21 months of conflict, cutting short the second term of Nongthombam Biren Singh as the Chief Minister.
Manipur Congress president, Keisham Meghachandra said the ground situation and the Bharatiya Janata Party’s failure to reach a consensus candidate for the Chief Minister’s post made the Centre impose President’s Rule.
“The people suffered for a long time due to unprecedented violence. The President and the Prime Minister realised the ground situation, leading to the imposition of President’s Rule,” he said.
“The Prime Minister should take responsibility of Manipur now, visit the State, and address the crisis,” he said, stressing the need to protect Manipur’s territorial integrity.
Mr Meghachandra also said the BJP failed to find a consensus Chief Minister because of a division within.
MP Sambit Patra, in charge of the BJP’s northeast affairs, dismissed reports of internal rife and said the Assembly, put in suspended animation, could be revived soon depending on the ground situation. He asserted the BJP’s commitment to continue its efforts to maintain peace and normalcy in the State.
State BJP functionaries, however, said reconciliation between the two warring communities — the non-tribal Meiteis and the tribal Kuki-Zos — was necessary for normalcy to return to the State.
“Whatever happened was not good and what is happening does not augur well. People are struggling to survive and this is being reflected in extortions by armed fringe elements,” he said.
Contrasting views
Social organisations in the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley have started to speak up against President’s Rule while the Kuki-Zo groups said President’s Rule was preferable to a new Chief Minister from the same community as Mr. Singh.
“The sudden and unreasonable imposition of President’s Rule, despite the BJP’s absolute majority, is being seen as a deliberate ploy to push Manipur further into turmoil. This move raises serious questions about the Centre’s true intentions, as it shifts the blame onto the alleged incompetence of the BJP legislators rather than addressing the real issues at hand,” the influential Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity said.
“The forced resignation of the Chief Minister just before a crucial Assembly session, without any proper explanation to the people, is an outright betrayal of democratic principles,” it said.
“With the President’s Rule, I believe the groundwork to end violence will begin, which will pave the way for a conducive environment for political dialogue,” said Ginza Vualzong, the spokesperson of the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum seeking a separate administration for the Kuki-Zo people.
Influx threat flagged
Five days after resigning as the Chief Minister, Mr. Singh warned Manipur’s indigenous communities against the threat to their land and identity from across the India-Myanmar border.
“With a small population and limited resources, we stand vulnerable. I monitored and detected illegal immigration tirelessly until May 2, 2023. But after the tragic events of 3rd May, 2023 our State machinery has struggled to respond effectively,” he wrote on X hours after President’s Rule was imposed on Thursday night.
He said Manipur’s 398 km “unguarded” border with Myanmar and the Free Movement Regime were rapidly shifting the State’s demographic balance. “This is not speculation; it is happening before our eyes. Since our government took charge in March 2017, the challenge has only intensified. After the May 3, 2023 incident, the situation has become even more critical,” he added.
“As for me, I will continue this fight with unwavering commitment in every way I can,” Mr. Singh said.
Meanwhile, the security forces intensified operations against extremists and troublemakers. The State police arrested five people who were seen in a viral video playing football in the Kangpokpi district with assault rifles in their hands.
