In a significant political development, the Indian government has imposed President’s Rule in the northeastern state of Manipur, following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on February 9, 2025. This move comes amid prolonged ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities, which has resulted in over 250 fatalities and displaced thousands since 2023.
The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notification stating that President Droupadi Murmu is convinced that the state government cannot function in accordance with constitutional provisions. Consequently, under Article 356 of the Indian Constitution, the President has assumed all governmental functions of the state, with the legislative assembly placed under suspended animation.
The imposition of President’s Rule signifies that the state will be administered directly by the central government through the Governor, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, a former bureaucrat from the Ministry of Home Affairs. This decision follows the inability of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to reach a consensus on a successor to Biren Singh, leading to a failure in convening the state assembly.
The ethnic tensions in Manipur have been escalating since 2023, primarily between the majority Meitei community and the minority Kuki tribe. The violence intensified following a court suggestion to extend economic benefits and job quotas to the Meitei community, a move opposed by the Kukis. The situation deteriorated further due to disputes over land rights and allegations of illegal immigration from neighboring Myanmar.
The central government’s decision to impose President’s Rule aims to restore order and address the ongoing crisis. The administration faces the challenge of reconciling the conflicting interests of the Meitei and Kuki communities while ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents.
This is not the first instance of President’s Rule in Manipur; the state has experienced direct central governance multiple times since its formation. The current situation underscores the persistent challenges in managing ethnic diversity and political stability in the region.
As the central government takes charge, the focus will be on implementing measures to curb violence, facilitate dialogue between conflicting groups, and pave the way for a democratically elected government to assume office in the future.
