Ukhrul, July 25: The Centre has extended President’s rule in troubled Manipur for another six months, effective from August 13.
According to a Parliamentary bulletin from the Rajya Sabha, the House has approved the proposal of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to extend President’s rule in the northeastern state till February 13, 2026.
President’s Rule was imposed in the strife-torn state on February 13 following the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren on February 9.
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“That this House approves the continuance in force of the Proclamation dated the 13th February, 2025 in respect of Manipur, issued under article 356 of the Constitution by the President, for a further period of six months with effect from 13th August, 2025,” the Parliamentary bulletin from the Rajya Sabha read.
Manipur has been placed under President’s Rule for the 11th time, including the PR rule when the state was still a Union Territory from 1967 until it attained full statehood in 1972. President’s Rule was imposed in Manipur for the first time for eight days  i.e., March 12-19 in 1967, making Manipur the sixth state to come under the President’s Rule, Punjab was the first state to be placed under the President’s Rule in 1951. The last imposition of PR rule in Manipur began from June 2, 2001 and ended on March 6, 2002 which lasted for 277 days.
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As per Article 356(3) of the Constitution, the President’s Rule usually lasts six months and can be extended every six months with the approval of the Parliament for up to three years. The longest spell of President’s Rule in Manipur was during the Naga-Kuki clashes from 1993 to 1994, lasting nearly a year.
The demand for Central rule in Manipur state that achieved its statehood in January 21, 1972 has been fueled by continued law and order concerns, internal political strife, and ethnic conflicts. The ongoing conflict between the Meitei and Kuki tribal communities is one such trigger that has led to the imposition of PR rule. The ethnic violence that erupted since May 2023 has claimed over 250 lives and rendered thousands homeless.
The violence has also affected the legislative functioning of the state. The seventh session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly, which was scheduled from February 10 was declared null and void by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on February 9, the very day CM Biren resigned. Since the last session of the Assembly in August 2024, no assembly session has been convened.
A state assembly, according to Article 174(1), must meet at least once every six months.
Most past instances of President’s Rule in Manipur were imposed due to breakdowns in law and order, government collapses due to defections, and internal party conflicts. In some cases, allegations of corruption and political instability led to the dismissal of governments and dissolution of the Assembly.
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