President Droupadi Murmu invokes Article 356 in Manipur

Ukhrul, Feb 13: Owing to the prolonged Manipur crisis, President Droupadi Murmu invoked Article 356 in the state today. Subsequently, she assumed full control of the state government, citing a report from the governor and being convinced of the government’s inability to function. The President has now taken over all executive powers while the Parliament will handle the legislative duties.

In the official notification published in the Extraordinary Gazette (G.S.R. 134[E]), the President stated that after receiving the Governor’s report and reviewing other critical information, she was convinced that the state government could no longer function in line with the Constitution. Invoking Article 356, she assumed all the functions of the Government of Manipur and all the powers normally vested in the Governor. The notification further declared that the powers of the state legislature would henceforth be exercised by Parliament.

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The proclamation also outlined several incidental and consequential measures. It granted the President the authority to act through the Governor as needed. It suspended parts of the Constitution related to the state’s governance, including the provisions that refer to the state legislature in Article 3, certain reporting requirements under Article 151, and articles concerning the allocation of ministerial responsibilities (Articles 163, 164, 166, and 167). In addition, provisions relating to legislative resolutions under Article 169, aspects of Article 174, and a host of other articles—from 175 to 178, clauses of Article 179, and further articles including 180, 181, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 198, and 199—have been suspended to enable the smooth functioning of the state administration.

The notification also clarifies that any reference in the Constitution to the Governor with regard to Manipur should now be understood as referring to the President. Likewise, references to the state legislature will be treated as those to Parliament. It further provides that any Acts or laws passed by the Manipur legislature shall be considered as made by Parliament by extending the provisions of the Manipur General Clauses Act, 1966 and the relevant parts of the General Clauses Act, 1897.

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In a related Order (G.S.R. 135[E]), the President directed that all functions of the Government of Manipur and the powers previously exercised by the Governor—which have now been assumed by her—will continue to be carried out by the Governor under her strict supervision, direction, and control.

This development is corroborated by a DIPR press release today which stated that the Manipur Legislative Assembly will be under animated suspension after the President’s order.

This decisive action marks a turning point in Manipur’s governance and comes at a time when both political leaders and citizens await further steps to normalise the situation. All eyes are now on Manipur as the central government works to restore order and set the stage for a return to normal, constitutionally compliant governance.

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