President's Rule was imposed in Manipur on Thursday, just four days after Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned. Singh resigned after 21 months of ethnic violence. The violence caused over 250 deaths and displaced thousands.

Ministry of Home Affairs Notification

The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notification stating that President Droupadi Murmu believes the state's government can no longer function according to the Constitution. The notification added, “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.” Moreover, the state assembly has been suspended.

The central government has decided to take it upon itself to stabilize #Manipur . This was inevitable the way things were going. The state has been grappling with ethnic violence for almost two years now. More than two hundred people have lost their lives. pic.twitter.com/R4khJRN6B9

— Rajat Tyagi (@RJ71347659) February 13, 2025

Biren Singh Resigns

On February 9, Biren Singh submitted his resignation to Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla in Imphal. This happened one day before the state assembly was supposed to begin its budget session, which was later canceled.

In his resignation letter, Singh said, “It has been an honour to serve the people of Manipur thus far. I am extremely grateful to the central government for timely actions, interventions, developmental work, and implementation of various projects for safeguarding the interests of every single Manipur.”

Supreme Court’s Influence on Resignation

Singh’s resignation followed the Supreme Court's directive to a central forensics lab to investigate leaked audio tapes allegedly involving him. In the tapes, Singh is heard suggesting that he had instigated the ethnic violence.

BJP Struggles to Find a Successor

Since Singh’s resignation, BJP lawmakers in Manipur have been meeting to decide on a successor. However, despite several discussions with the party’s northeast coordinator Sambit Patra, they have been unable to reach a decision.

Ongoing Ethnic Violence

The violence, which originally started between the Meitei and Kuki communities, has now spread throughout the state. The opposition, along with the Kuki community, blames Singh for escalating the violence.

Opposition Criticizes BJP’s Timing

Opposition parties have accused the BJP of removing Singh “belatedly” to avoid the government’s collapse and potential fallout from the Supreme Court.