Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh handed over his resignation letter on Sunday, just days before a crucial floor test in the state legislative assembly. The move follows growing political tension, with opposition Congress set to introduce a no-confidence motion against Singh’s government.
The resignation comes nearly after two years of ethnic violence that persisted in the state between the two communities.
Singh, who left for Delhi on a chartered flight on Saturday evening, did not disclose the purpose of his visit, according to government officials.
Earlier on Saturday, Singh convened a meeting with the BJP-led ruling alliance MLAs at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat to discuss preparations for the upcoming legislative assembly session, which is set to begin on February 10. Approximately 20 MLAs were present at the meeting.
In his formal resignation letter addressed to the Governor of Manipur, Singh expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve the people of the state and acknowledged the Central government’s support for various developmental initiatives. He also reiterated his commitment to the state’s territorial integrity and security.
Singh urged the central government to continue focusing on critical issues, including border security, territorial integrity, and efforts to combat illegal immigration and drug trafficking. In his letter, he outlined five main priorities for Manipur’s future:
- Ensuring the territorial integrity of the state, which boasts a rich and diverse civilization.
- Strengthening border security by addressing infiltration and creating policies for deporting illegal immigrants.
- Intensifying the fight against drug-related crimes and narco-terrorism.
- Implementing a revised Free Movement Regime (FMR) mechanism, including biometric verification to prevent unauthorised crossings.
- Accelerating the construction of secure border infrastructure within a defined timeframe.
On May 3, 2023, ethnic violence erupted in India’s north-eastern state between the Meitei people, a majority that lives in the Imphal Valley, and the Kuki-Zo tribal community from the surrounding hills.
According to official figures, 221 people have been killed in the violence and 60,000 people have been displaced. Earlier figures also mentioned over 1,000 injured, and 32 missing.
Nearly 4,786 houses were burnt and 386 religious structures were vandalised, including temples and churches. Unofficial figures are higher.
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