Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has resigned amid ongoing ethnic violence that has plagued the northeastern state for nearly two years, resulting in at least 250 fatalities and displacing approximately 60,000 individuals. Singh, a member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party , submitted his resignation to the state’s governor in Imphal, the capital city, just before a scheduled legislative assembly session where the opposition Congress party was expected to move a no-confidence motion against him.
In response to Singh’s resignation, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge launched a vehement critique of the BJP, asserting that the party’s delayed action is akin to “shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted.” He accused the ruling party of being responsible for the prolonged unrest in Manipur, which has caused significant hardship for its citizens over the past 21 months.
The conflict in Manipur has primarily involved clashes between the majority Meitei and minority Kuki communities, stemming from disputes over economic benefits and job quotas. The violence has led to widespread displacement and loss of life, with both communities suffering significant casualties. The situation has been further complicated by allegations against Singh, a Meitei leader, of bias towards his own community, with Kuki groups demanding his removal since the onset of the conflict.
Pressure for Singh’s resignation had been mounting not only from opposition parties but also from within his own ranks. In October 2024, 19 BJP legislators, led by Manipur Assembly Speaker Th Satyabrata, wrote a letter to Prime Minister Modi, suggesting that replacing Singh was the only solution to the ongoing ethnic strife in the state. They emphasized that merely deploying security forces would not bring about a resolution and called for a change in leadership to facilitate dialogue and reconciliation.
The National People’s Party , a key ally of the BJP in Manipur, also withdrew its support from the ruling coalition in November 2024. In a letter to BJP National President JP Nadda, the NPP expressed deep concern over the prevailing law and order situation, stating that the Manipur government under Singh’s leadership had “completely failed to resolve the crisis and restore normalcy.” This move further isolated Singh and underscored the growing dissatisfaction with his handling of the situation.
In his resignation letter, Singh expressed gratitude to the federal government for its efforts to protect Manipur’s interests and … .” Both Singh and the federal government have partly attributed the violence to an influx of refugees from Myanmar … .
Despite Singh’s resignation, the situation in Manipur remains tense. The state has been under a curfew, with internet and mobile services suspended to prevent the spread of misinformation and curb further violence. Security forces have been deployed in large numbers to maintain order, and authorities have made several arrests in connection with the unrest.
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