Ukhrul: Since his last address to the nation on Manipur violence on July 20, 2023, over the horrific incident where two Kuki-Zo women were assaulted and paraded naked by a mob, Prime Minister Narendra Modi once again spoke on the yearlong, violence-hit Manipur state on Wednesday in the Rajya Sabha.
PM Moid’s speech came following a passionate debut speech in the Lok Sabha by INC Member of Parliament, Dr. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, who criticized the Prime Minister’s silence over the Manipur conflict.
PM Modi addressed the Manipur crisis in the Rajya Sabha, stating that the Union government is actively making efforts to normalise situation, and promote peace in Manipur. Mentioning the longstanding ethnic tensions in the state, he noted that previous Congress administrations had imposed President’s Rule in Manipur on 10 occasions due to these challenges, with the most recent major unrest [Naga-Kuki conflict] dating back to 1993. He also emphasized, “We have not resorted to such means.”
“Both state and central governments are fully committed to ensuring that the culprits face the strictest consequences,” Modi assured. “I want to reassure the people of Manipur, especially the women and daughters, that the nation stands in solidarity with you. Peace will soon prevail in Manipur,” PM Modi declared.
PM Modi also said that, “More than 11,000 FIRs have been registered, resulting in over 500 arrests. As incidents of violence steadily decline in Manipur, schools, colleges, offices, and other institutions have reopened across the state. Both the Central and State governments are engaging with all stakeholders to facilitate peace restoration efforts.” He also mentioned that the Union government is extending all cooperation to Manipur to tackle the flood crisis in the State.
Amid ongoing speculations about the resignation of Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, which the CM has flatly denied and dismissed, it is pertinent to revisit the history of President’s Rule imposed in Manipur in the past.
N. Biren Singh, elected from Heingang Assembly Constituency, assumed office as Manipur’s Chief Minister on March 15, 2017. He secured a second term following the BJP’s comfortable majority in the 2022 Manipur Legislative Assembly elections, winning 32 out of 60 seats. The ruling BJP coalition holds 37 MLAs, including five from the Naga People’s Front (NPF) and JD(U), who joined the party.
Opposition parties, particularly the Congress and allied groups, along with the Kuki-Zo tribal community predominantly from Churachandpur and parts of Kangpokpi District, have called for N. Biren Singh’s removal or resignation as Chief Minister to facilitate peace talks.
Furthermore, the absence of N. Biren Singh from the last high-level meeting held on July 17, 2024, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, fueled speculation that the Centre was reassessing its approach to the Manipur administration. However, N. Biren Singh clarified in a recent interview with The Print that “he was briefed about the high-level meeting.” The July 17 high-level meet included Chief Secretary of Manipur Vineet Joshi, Security Adviser to the Manipur government Kuldiep Singh, Chief of the Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, former Army Chief Manoj Pande, Lt. General HS Sahi, GOC, 3 Corps, Assam Rifles DG, Lt. Gen Pradeep Chandran Nair.
As of now, it remains unclear whether N. Biren Singh will resign from his position. Reports suggest that if the CM is removed without a replacement from the Centre, the Manipur Legislative Assembly is likely to remain under animated suspension.
It may be recalled that Article 356 has been invoked in Manipur 10 times, including during Manipur tenure as a Union Territory from 1967 until it achieved statehood in 1972. President’s Rule was also imposed during the Naga-Kuki clashes from 1993 to 1994. Previous instances of President’s Rule in Manipur were primarily due to breakdowns in law and order, government collapses due to defections, and internal disputes within political parties, such as corruption charges leading to government dismissal and Assembly dissolution.
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