Lok Sabha passes resolution to extend President's Rule in Manipur by 6 months

New Delhi: Lok Sabha on Wednesday gave its go-ahead for extending President's Rule in Manipur by another six months with the government saying that it is necessary to maintain existing peace in the ethnic violence-hit north-eastern state. The resolution will now be discussed in Rajya Sabha.

Responding to the debate that saw six MPs, including five from the Opposition, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said no deaths due to violence have been reported in Manipur in the last four months. He said only one person was killed in an incident in the past eight months.

While he did not respond to demands for dissolution of Manipur Assembly and called for fresh elections, Rai said President's Rule is necessary for maintaining peace in the state. He said the north-east has witnessed immense development and stability under the Modi government.

He said the violence in Manipur is not communal but between two ethnic groups. "There is peace prevailing there. The law and order situation is also under control. Full efforts are being made to remove differences between the two ethnic communities through dialogue to establish permanent peace," he said.

The Modi government imposed President's Rule in Manipur on February 13, four days after N Biren Singh resigned as Chief Minister. BJP has not managed to find a successor to Singh so far though the Assembly has been put under suspended animation.

As per law, the government needs to get Parliamentary nod for continuing President's Rule beyond the six month period.

The debate midway saw disruption as BJP MPs objected to Trinamool Congress MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar's remarks, leading to an adjournment for about 35 minutes till 5:30 PM.

Initiating the debate, Congress' Anto Antony said there is "complete collapse" of administration in Manipur and Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues to remain silent on Manipur. Antony alleged that the government allowed the violence to spiral.

"Manipur, called as a jewel, has been reduced to ashes, the state known for its green hills and harmony now bleeds red. The sounds of nature have been replaced with cries of mothers who do not want their children killed and with the screams of women stripped of their dignity and with the silence of the Prime Minister,” he said.

"The Manipur government instead of protecting its people has worsened the situation by imposing internet shutdowns, curfews and brutal police actions. The government has allowed the situation to spiral into uncontrolled violence and chaos," he said.

Congress' Inner Manipur MP A Bimal Akoijam said fresh elections should be held in Manipur. He claimed President's Rule is being extended in Manipur not to restore Constitutional order but to save the ruling BJP from embarrassment.

Samajwadi Party MP Lalji Varma said it is concerning that the government is not able to bring peace in the state because it is following vote bank politics. He said the Prime Minister needs to visit and talk to people of Manipur.