LIVE | BJP's internal crisis lead to imposition of President's rule: Cong leader

Meitei body claims President's rule in Manipur 'most unfortunate', 'undemocratic'

The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), an umbrella body of several Imphal-based civil society organisations, on Friday termed the imposition of the President's rule in the state as "undemocratic" and "most unfortunate".

The Meitei body also alleged that the President's rule was "a ploy to push the state into further turmoil".

"The sudden and unreasonable imposition of the President's rule in Manipur by the Government of India, despite the BJP having an absolute majority in the state, is seen as a deliberate ploy to push Manipur further into turmoil," the COCOMI alleged in a statement.

The Imphal-based body also claimed, "This move raises serious questions about the central government's true intentions, as it shifts the blame onto the alleged incompetency of its own BJP MLAs rather than addressing the real issues at hand." The COCOMI also alleged that the "forced" resignation of the chief minister, just before a crucial state assembly session, without any proper explanation to the people, is an "outright betrayal of democratic principles".

"This power manoeuvre indicates an agenda to place Manipur, particularly the Meitei community, under direct military control. This decision conveniently aligns with the longstanding demands of Kuki militants and separatist groups who have been advocating the imposition of AFSPA and the President’s rule in Manipur," the COCOMI claimed.

The President’s rule was imposed in Manipur, and the assembly was put under suspended animation on Thursday evening, days after Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned from the post, leading to political uncertainty in the state.

The decision to impose the President's rule was taken as the BJP "failed" to build a consensus on a chief ministerial candidate despite several rounds of discussions between its northeast in-charge Sambit Patra and legislators.

Take all political parties in confidence to bring back normalcy in Manipur: CPI(M)

The CPI(M) on Friday said imposition of President's rule in strife-torn Manipur underlines the "utter bankruptcy" of the BJP's double engine government, charging the step was taken to buy time to settle internal conflicts within the ruling coalition.

It demanded that all political parties be taken into confidence to bring back normalcy in the state.

"The imposition of President's rule in Manipur underlines the utter bankruptcy of the BJP double engine government under whose rule the state has been in violent turmoil for two years," the CPI(M) said in a statement.

"President's rule has been imposed not in the interests of Manipur but to buy time to settle internal conflicts within the ruling coalition," the party charged.

President's rule was imposed in strife-torn Manipur on Thursday and the state assembly put under suspended animation, days after Chief Minister Biren Singh resigned from his post.

The party said, "The (former) chief minister (N Biren Singh), the main culprit, who was backed all along by the BJP-RSS was forced to resign because his partisan role was being examined by a court where evidence was presented of his sectarian partisan role which left him with no choice but to quit".

The CPI(M) said the central leadership of the ruling party (BJP) refused to take the required action to alleviate the deep suffering inflicted on the people of Manipur, "symbolised by the Prime Minister's callous refusal to even visit the troubled state".

"This exposes the sectarian approach of the ruling party and the state and central government it heads, which put its own political interests above that of the state and its people," they said.

Prez rule no solution, need 'honest political will' for peace in Manipur: Irom Sharmila

Rights activist Irom Sharmila on Friday claimed that the imposition of the President's rule in Manipur is "not a solution" but merely a way to "evade democratic accountability" for the ongoing ethnic violence in the state.

Talking to news agency PTI, Sharmila emphasised the need for "honest political will" to restore peace in the strife-torn northeastern state and fresh elections "will not bring real change".

Instead, Sharmila suggested that the “titular king of Manipur be invited to serve as a symbol of unity with powers akin to those of the current governor".

"The Presidential rule is not the solution. Manipuris have never wanted this. But since it is now the reality, let the Centre prioritise the restoration of the status quo ante for the internally displaced. Let Prime Minister Narendra Modi bring investments from industrialists' friends to provide at least basic infrastructure and development. The Presidential rule, when imposed in the past, was merely another way to avoid democratic accountability," Sharmila told PTI.

To address the ongoing turmoil, she proposed the formation of three intra-state mini-assemblies representing the Meitei, Naga, and Kuki communities, arguing that such a model would ensure fair representation and direct funding for all ethnic groups.

"Another election will not bring real change. Instead, to restore faith and trust, the titular king of Manipur should be invited to become the symbol of unity again with powers similar to the current governor. Then, with the unity of the state guaranteed, three intra-state mini-assemblies should be set up to provide representation for the three aggrieved groups - the Meitei, the Nagas, and the Kukis. This would also provide direct funding for the three groups," she said.

The values, principles and practices of different ethnic groups must be respected, she said.

"India is known for its diversity, and the Centre must recognise and embrace it in Manipur as well," Sharmila claimed.

Leadership crisis in BJP led to President's Rule: Cong leader

Manipur Congress president Keisham Meghachandra on Friday claimed that a leadership crisis within the BJP and its failure to reach a consensus on a chief ministerial candidate led to the imposition of President’s rule in the state.

Meghachandra also said the central BJP leaders have “finally begun to understand” the ground situation in the strife-torn state.

“The leadership crisis that prevailed after resignation of the chief minister, and a divided house within the BJP (on selecting a new CM) led to imposition of President’s rule,” he told reporters.

President's rule was imposed in Manipur and the assembly put under suspended animation on Thursday evening, days after Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned from his post that led to political uncertainty in the state.

"Now, the prime minister has the whole responsibility... Now, (PM) Modi will hopefully look into the government's inability to function and start addressing the crisis in the state," Meghachandra said.

The onus for protecting the territorial and administrative integrity of Manipur is on the Union government, he added.

Singh, who was heading the BJP government in Manipur, resigned as chief minister after nearly 21 months of ethnic violence that has claimed over 250 lives so far.

The Manipur assembly has a tenure till 2027. Manipur BJP president A Sharda had said on Thursday that the assembly has been put under suspended animation in accordance with the constitutional process, and asserted that the House had not been dissolved yet. 

Hope PM Modi speaks up on Manipur now: State Congress chief

Manipur Assembly can be revived in future based on ground situation, says BJP

Reaffirming its commitment to maintaining Manipur's territorial integrity, the BJP on Friday said the state assembly, which was put in a suspended animation following the imposition of President's rule, could be revived on any future date depending on the ground situation.

Sambit Patra, the BJP's northeast region in-charge, told PTI that his party was committed to continuing efforts to maintain peace and normalcy in the state, which has been hit by months-long violence between Meiteis and Kukis and remains polarised along ethnic lines.

He noted that the assembly had not been dissolved but kept in a suspended animation, meaning that the formation of a new state government remained a possibility.

The BJP continues to enjoy a comfortable majority in the assembly but the sharpening of ethnic differences meant the party's search for a consensus candidate to replace N Biren Singh, who resigned as chief minister a few days ago, remained futile.

"The assembly is not dissolved and can be revived on any future date, as deemed fit by the president of India, depending on the circumstances and the situation on the ground in Manipur," Patra said.

"I repeat, as far as the territorial integrity of Manipur is concerned, there will be no compromise with it," the Puri MP added.

With some Kuki groups demanding a separate state, Patra's reassertion of the BJP's stand against it will reassure the Meiteis, who are in a majority but have been raising concerns over a host of issues, including alleged demographic imbalance, and are vehemently opposed to any division of Manipur.

Patra also asserted the BJP's firm stand against illegal infiltration from across the border and said any such effort would be stringently dealt with.

President's rule was imposed in Manipur on Thursday and the assembly kept in a suspended animation.

Singh, who was heading the BJP government, resigned as chief minister after nearly 21 months of ethnic violence that has so far claimed more than 250 lives.

The Manipur Assembly has a tenure till March 2027. PTI 

Constitutional crisis in Manipur forced imposition of President's rule: Congress

The Congress on Friday said the imposition of President's rule in Manipur is a direct admission of the failure of the BJP governments at the Centre and the state, and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apologise to the people there.

In a post on X, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said there is a Constitutional crisis in Manipur that forced the imposition of President's rule.

"Narendra Modi ji, It is your party which has been ruling at the Centre for 11 years. It is your party which was ruling Manipur for 8 years. It is the BJP which was responsible for maintaining Law & Order in the state. It is your government which is responsible for National Security and border patrol. The imposition of President's rule by YOU, suspending YOUR own party's government is a direct admission on how YOU failed the people of Manipur," Kharge said.

He said the government has imposed President's rule not because it wanted to, but because there is a Constitutional crisis in the state, as none of the NDA MLAs are willing to accept the "baggage of your incompetence".

"Your "Double Engine" ran over the lives of the innocent people of Manipur! High time you now step in Manipur and listen to the pain and trauma of the suffering people and apologise to them. Do you have the courage of conviction?" Kharge asked.

The Congress chief said the people of Manipur will not forgive Prime Minister Modi and his party.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Thursday that the imposition of President's rule in Manipur is a belated admission by the BJP of their complete inability to govern in Manipur.

"Now, PM Modi can no longer deny his direct responsibility for Manipur," he said in a post on X.

"Has he finally made up his mind to visit the state, and explain to the people of Manipur and India his plan to restore peace and normalcy?" Gandhi asked.

Five militants arrested from three Manipur districts

Five militants belonging to proscribed outfits have been arrested from Manipur’s Imphal West, Imphal East and Thoubal districts, police said on Friday.

Two active cadres of the banned Kangleipak Communist Party (Noyon) were apprehended from Thangmeiband and Keishampat in Imphal West on Thursday, they said.

Police also arrested another member of the KCP (Noyon) from Khurai Thoudam Leikai in Imphal East.

The arrested militant was “directly involved in extortion activities from the general public, government officials, hospitals, schools and petrol pumps", a police officer said.

In another operation, two cadres of KCP (PWG) were arrested from Sangaiyumphal in Thoubal district, he said.

Arms and ammunition have also been seized from the arrested militants, the officer said.

In a related development, security forces recovered several firearms during separate operations in Kangpokpi and Chandel districts, police said on Friday.

An assault rifle, a sniper rifle, four pistols and hand grenades were among the arms recovered, they added. 

CPRF jawan kills 2, injures 8 colleagues, ends life

'Ray of hope'

Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) leader Ginza Vualzong on Thursday said the President's rule in Manipur will give a ray of hope to the Kuki-Zo community and added that having a new Meitei chief minister is "far from comforting".

Reacting to the imposition of President's rule in Manipur on Thursday, four days after Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned from his position, Vualzong said the President's rule is preferable to a change of CM.

"The Kuki-Zo do not trust Meitei anymore, so a new Meitei CM is still far from comforting. The President's rule will give a ray of hope to the Kuki-Zo and we believe that it will be one step closer to our political solution," he said.

Vualzong said under the President's rule, the groundwork to end violence will begin, which will pave the way for a conducive environment for political dialogue.