President’s rule imposed in Manipur amid ongoing ethnic unrest

In a significant political development, the union government on Feb 13 imposed President’s rule in Manipur, placing the state assembly under suspended animation, just four days after Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned.

The move welcomed by the Kuki-Zo groups comes amid escalating ethnic tensions between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, which have claimed over 200 lives since May 2023.

The decision was announced after President Droupadi Murmu received a report from Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, highlighting the deteriorating situation.

The announcement came hours after both Houses of Parliament adjourned for a break, with plans to reconvene on March 10 for the remainder of the Budget session.

Political fallout and security measures

Before enforcing the President’s rule, the Centre took precautionary steps, including deploying a security plan and increasing surveillance on individuals to prevent further unrest. The political turmoil escalated when Biren Singh resigned on Feb 9, following discussions in New Delhi with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP President JP Nadda.

Following Singh’s resignation, the Governor nullified an earlier order summoning the Assembly on Feb 10, effectively canceling the session. The Congress had previously signaled its intent to bring a no-confidence motion against Singh’s government.

The BJP-led government collapsed amid dwindling support. While the party holds a majority with 37 MLAs in the 60-member Manipur Assembly, two of its allies—the National People’s Party (NPP) and the Kuki People’s Alliance (KPA)—withdrew support following the outbreak of violence. Despite this, at least two NPP MLAs continued backing Singh.

Official Notification

A formal notification issued by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan on Feb 13 confirmed the imposition of President’s rule under Article 356 of the Constitution.

"The President is satisfied that a situation has arisen in which the government of that state cannot be carried on following the provisions of the Constitution," the notification stated.

By invoking Article 356, the President has assumed all executive powers of the state government, while legislative functions will be exercised under the authority of Parliament.

Political consensus

The imposition of the President’s rule followed a three-day effort led by BJP’s Northeast coordinator Sambit Patra in Imphal to find a consensus candidate to replace Singh. However, no agreement was reached, prompting speculation that the Centre might take direct control of the state.

A BJP MLA suggested that the President’s rule could pave the way for a stronger crackdown on armed groups operating in both the hills and the valley.

Meanwhile, Congress has opposed the move, calling it an admission of the government’s failure.

“They have realized that there was a completely failed state under N. Biren Singh, and that the state was destroyed over the past 20 months,” said K. Meghachandra Singh, President of the Manipur Congress.

Kuki-Zo groups welcome the move

Kuki-Zo groups, which have long demanded the President’s rule, expressed relief over the decision.

“The President’s Rule is preferable to simply changing the CM. The Kuki-Zo community does not trust the Meitei leadership anymore. This move gives us hope that a political solution is within reach,” said Ginza Vualzong, spokesperson for the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF).

He added that the President’s rule could facilitate peace efforts and create conditions for political dialogue, which the community sees as essential for resolving the long-standing conflict.

With the President’s rule now in place, the focus shifts to restoring law and order in Manipur and charting a political roadmap for the state. The suspension of the Assembly means that legislative functions will remain under Parliament’s control, with key decisions expected in the coming weeks.

The next phase of developments will likely center on security operations, potential negotiations with ethnic groups, and the BJP’s decision on future leadership in Manipur.