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In a long overdue decision, N. Biren Singh resigned as Chief Minister of Manipur on Sunday (February 9, 2025. It was reportedly under duress due to growing dissidence within the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance government even as the Opposition Congress planned a no-confidence motion in the Assembly. The Supreme Court of India had recently sought the services of the Central Forensic Science Laboratory to provide a “sealed-cover report” on “leaked audio tapes” that it is examining, allegedly featuring Mr. Singh as an instigator of the ethnic conflict that has raged for months between two communities in the State. These proximate reasons apart, Mr. Singh’s continuation was long made untenable with the ethnic conflict having shown few signs of abating, and him being seen as championing the cause of chauvinists from one group. In any case, the Union Government had, de facto, used the provisions of Article 355 to seize control over law and order without declaring its imposition. The BJP and its allies had also lost both Lok Sabha seats in the 2024 general election, indicating a fatigue in the valley and hill regions with the State government. Mr. Singh’s rhetoric about the Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities, persistently accusing them of being “infiltrators” from Myanmar and providing a haven to “drug dealers” and illicit crop cultivators, fuelled the antipathy on both sides of the conflict, while his inability to rein in violent groups that openly brandished sophisticated weapons — many looted from police armouries — created a culture of impunity. With the BJP persisting with his leadership, there was little hope for any reconciliation as civil society activists refused to engage in peace talks.
The Union government and the BJP should now make the best use of the opportunity by looking for a new leader who is unburdened by the shenanigans of Mr. Singh’s rule and willing to work towards genuine reconciliation. Second, the Union government should accelerate the process of involving civil society leaders in talks, yet again, to address immediate issues such as the rehabilitation and return of over 60,000 displaced people. This will lay the ground for a political solution and address grievances in the hills and the valley. There are enough instruments in India’s federal system that allow for creative solutions within the state-system, which have also worked well in other parts of the country in ending conflicts. But confidence-building measures and an end to wanton violence are a necessity before such solutions are mooted. Mr. Singh’s resignation should pave the way for more such measures and it would be remiss on the part of the government to not follow up on these quickly.
Published – February 11, 2025 12:20 am IST
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Emergency exit: On the Manipur Chief Minister’s resignation
