Security agencies have been placed on high alert in Manipur following the imposition of President’s Rule, with authorities bracing for potential unrest from banned militant groups. Officials have confirmed that additional forces have been deployed across the Imphal valley, particularly in areas that have witnessed attacks on police personnel by cadres of the Arambai Tenggol group.
To maintain order and deter any attempts to disrupt peace, the Assam Rifles and other paramilitary forces are set to conduct flag marches in Imphal city, officials said.
Security measures were significantly strengthened after Chief Minister N Biren Singh tendered his resignation on 9 February, following nearly 21 months of ethnic strife that has claimed more than 250 lives. Four days later, on 13 February, President’s Rule was formally imposed on the troubled state.
The Manipur Legislative Assembly, which was due to serve until 2027, has been placed under suspended animation, as per a notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The central government took the decision following a report submitted by Governor Anusuiya Uikey to President Droupadi Murmu.
The notification stated: “After considering the report and other information received by me, I am satisfied that a situation has arisen in which the government of that state cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of India.”
It further added: “Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Article 356 of the Constitution, and of all other powers enabling me in that behalf, I hereby proclaim that I – assume to myself as President of India all functions of the government of the state of Manipur and all powers vested in or exercisable by the Governor of that state.”
Alos read: President's rule imposed in Manipur
Opposition criticism
The Congress has sharply criticised the timing of the central government’s decision, asserting that it delayed the imposition of President’s Rule despite nearly 21 months of turmoil.
“Finally, what the Indian National Congress has been demanding for almost 20 months has happened. President’s Rule has been imposed in Manipur,” Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh stated in a post on X.
“This has come after what the Supreme Court called ‘the absolute breakdown of constitutional machinery in the state’ that saw the killing of over 300 people and displacement of over 60,000 men, women, and children since 3 May 2023,” he said.
Ramesh further contended, “This has come after the fabric of Manipur’s society has been allowed to be severely damaged if not totally destroyed.”
He accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of leading the state to a “colossal tragedy” despite winning a comfortable majority in the 2022 assembly elections.
He also targeted the Union government, stating, “This has come after the Union Home Minister clearly failed to manage Manipur, which had been entrusted to him by the PM. This has come even as the globe-trotting PM steadfastly refuses to visit Manipur and begin the process of reconciliation.”
CPI(M) calls for fresh elections
The Manipur unit of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has called for President’s Rule to be revoked at the earliest and fresh elections to be conducted.
Talking to reporters, CPI(M) state committee secretary Ksh Shanta asserted that the party, along with other like-minded groups, would oppose any attempt to alter the territorial integrity of Manipur during the central rule.
“CPI(M) and all aligned parties will stand for the territorial integrity of the state during President’s Rule, and any attempt to break the state will not be allowed,” Shanta declared.
She further blamed the state’s political instability on the “selfish quest for power among legislators.”
Political developments
The imposition of President’s Rule followed the resignation of N Biren Singh, who stepped down as chief minister on 9 February after prolonged ethnic clashes.
Singh met Union Home Minister Amit Shah prior to his resignation before submitting his letter to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla in Imphal.
Amid these developments, senior BJP leader Sambit Patra was seen at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat shortly after the announcement of central rule. He reportedly stayed for 40 minutes, though it remains unclear whether he met Singh.
Alos read: Four days on, Manipur’s political uncertainty persists
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