<p class="bodytext">It was clear that Manipur was heading for President’s rule in the days following N Biren Singh’s resignation as Chief Minister because the efforts to find a new leader were not making headway. Last week, it was finally notified and the Assembly kept under suspended animation. The BJP was unable to find a successor who was acceptable to all sections within the party and who would be able to handle the difficult ethnic conflict situation in the state. The party’s struggle with the succession plan shows the gravity of the situation and how it could challenge the administration. There was also a constitutional case for President’s rule. Under Article 174(1), the Assembly has to meet twice within six months. The Governor recommended the President's rule as the six-month term without the Assembly convening ended last week.</p>.Explained | President’s Rule in Manipur: When and why it's imposed, how it works.<p class="bodytext">Whatever be the circumstances that led to this imposition, the President’s rule must be taken as an opportunity to bring down the tension and prepare the ground for a representative government. This is the eleventh time President’s rule has been imposed in Manipur – the highest for any state in the country. That also points to the state’s troubled history. The present phase of strife and violence which started in May 2023 steadily worsened through the months because there was no serious effort to contain it. The state government’s, especially Biren’s Singh’s, actions aggravated the situation. The Central government’s unconditional support to him did not help. The state is sharply divided on racial lines between the Meiteis and the Kukis. The administration was virtually paralysed for months and most institutions are dysfunctional. The state police are seen as partisan. Over 60,000 people have been displaced and are living in camps.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Improving the law and order situation should be the first priority of the new administration. There is a large presence of Central forces in the state who may be able to function without the constraints that the state police faced. There are various militias in operation – they should be disarmed and the arms and armaments circulating in the state should be seized. Biren Singh had blamed “infiltrators” from Myanmar for the violence in the state. This was an exaggeration and an attempt to avoid responsibility. But if there is indeed an external dimension to the conflict, it needs to be probed and dealt with. It is critical to explore possibilities of talks between the sides in conflict. Ultimately, it is the political process that will bring peace and normalcy to the state. Efforts towards that should commence now – to make that start, restoring trust is essential.</p>
<p class="bodytext">It was clear that Manipur was heading for President’s rule in the days following N Biren Singh’s resignation as Chief Minister because the efforts to find a new leader were not making headway. Last week, it was finally notified and the Assembly kept under suspended animation. The BJP was unable to find a successor who was acceptable to all sections within the party and who would be able to handle the difficult ethnic conflict situation in the state. The party’s struggle with the succession plan shows the gravity of the situation and how it could challenge the administration. There was also a constitutional case for President’s rule. Under Article 174(1), the Assembly has to meet twice within six months. The Governor recommended the President's rule as the six-month term without the Assembly convening ended last week.</p>.Explained | President’s Rule in Manipur: When and why it's imposed, how it works.<p class="bodytext">Whatever be the circumstances that led to this imposition, the President’s rule must be taken as an opportunity to bring down the tension and prepare the ground for a representative government. This is the eleventh time President’s rule has been imposed in Manipur – the highest for any state in the country. That also points to the state’s troubled history. The present phase of strife and violence which started in May 2023 steadily worsened through the months because there was no serious effort to contain it. The state government’s, especially Biren’s Singh’s, actions aggravated the situation. The Central government’s unconditional support to him did not help. The state is sharply divided on racial lines between the Meiteis and the Kukis. The administration was virtually paralysed for months and most institutions are dysfunctional. The state police are seen as partisan. Over 60,000 people have been displaced and are living in camps.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Improving the law and order situation should be the first priority of the new administration. There is a large presence of Central forces in the state who may be able to function without the constraints that the state police faced. There are various militias in operation – they should be disarmed and the arms and armaments circulating in the state should be seized. Biren Singh had blamed “infiltrators” from Myanmar for the violence in the state. This was an exaggeration and an attempt to avoid responsibility. But if there is indeed an external dimension to the conflict, it needs to be probed and dealt with. It is critical to explore possibilities of talks between the sides in conflict. Ultimately, it is the political process that will bring peace and normalcy to the state. Efforts towards that should commence now – to make that start, restoring trust is essential.</p>
