Manipur CM Biren Singh resigns amid ongoing ethnic violence

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh tendered his resignation on Sunday, nearly two years after ethnic violence erupted in the state. The BJP leader handed over the resignation letter from the post of Chief Minister to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at the Raj Bhavan in Imphal.

In his letter to the governor, Singh said, “It has been an honour to serve the people of Manipur thus far. I am extremely grateful to the central government for time actions, interventions, developmental work and implementation of various projects for safeguarding the interests of every single Manipuri.”

Biren’s resignation came hours after he returned from Delhi. On Saturday, Singh convened a meeting with BJP-led ruling alliance MLAs at the CM Secretariat in connection with the upcoming assembly session beginning February 10.

The meeting was held in the wake of the opposition Congress seeking to move a no-confidence motion against the government led by Singh.

On Saturday, Biren Singh said his government has been making all efforts to restore peace in the strife-torn northeastern state and to ensure that people live together as before.

“The state government has been making all possible efforts to restore peace and to ensure that people live together peacefully as before,” the chief minister had said.

Congress reacts to Biren’s resignation

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh posted on X, saying that the CM’s resignation was “belated.” He took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying, “The people of Manipur now await a visit by our Frequent Flier PM who is off to France and the USA now – and who has found neither the time nor the inclination to go to Manipur these past twenty months.”

Meanwhile, Congress leader Udit Raj reacted to Biren’s resignation, saying, “…When the Congress was demanding him [Biren] to be removed at the right time, then he was not removed…A rift has been created between the two communities forever.” 

“This government should not be there for such a long time. Removing the CM after everything was ruined does not make any sense….,” Raj told nes agency ANI.

What led to Manipur violence?

In May 2023, Manipur, a northeastern state in India, witnessed ethnic violence between the Meitei people, the majority residing in the Imphal Valley, and the Kuki-Zo tribal community from the surrounding hills.

This violence was triggered by a dispute over an affirmative action measure, specifically the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status, which sparked protests and clashes.

A march organised by the All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) on May 3, 2023, to oppose this demand, led to confrontations and the escalation of violence.

The initial riots involved attacks on houses and properties, with the violence quickly spreading to both Kuki-dominated and Meitei-dominated areas, targeting minority communities. 

How many people died in Manipur violence?

More than 250 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless since ethnic violence broke out in Manipur in May 2023.

Reuters reported that in the first week alone, seven Kukis and 10 Meiteis were killed.

By mid-May 2023, government figures indicated 73 deaths, 243 injuries, and the burning of 1,809 houses, displacing over 46,000 people. The violence resulted in a significant loss of life, displacement, and destruction of property, deeply affecting the region28.