Today, On 3rd April, The Lok Sabha has confirmed the imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur, citing ongoing instability in the state. Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the government has taken all possible measures to restore normalcy in the conflict-hit region. The decision comes amid persistent violence and governance challenges in the Northeastern state. The move is expected to have significant political and administrative implications.
New Delhi: The Lok Sabha early Thursday passed a Statutory Resolution confirming the imposition of President’s rule in Manipur.
A proposal for the approval of President’s rule in Manipur was debated in the Lok Sabha, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah presenting the statutory resolution late Wednesday.
President’s rule was imposed in the conflict-ridden state in February this year, which can remain in effect for six months, pending approval from Parliament.
In response to a brief debate, Amit Shah stated that there has been no violence in Manipur for the past four months and highlighted ongoing discussions with both the Meitei and Kuki communities to seek a peaceful resolution.
He emphasized that the government has taken all necessary measures to restore normalcy in the troubled Northeastern state.
Amit Shah remarked,
“For the past four months, there has been no violence in Manipur…I will not say the situation in Manipur is satisfactory, but it is under control…Congress does not have that many MPs that they will move a no-confidence motion…,”
The resolution titled “Consideration on the Proclamation issued by the President on the 13th February 2025 under article 356 (1) of the Constitution in relation to the State of Manipur” was adopted by the Lok Sabha through a voice vote.
The violence in Manipur was triggered by a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ organized in response to a high court ruling. The central government has made several attempts to facilitate dialogue between the conflicting communities.
Amit Shah noted that the ethnic violence began following the high court’s order and stated,
“The day the order came, we sent the central forces by air. There was no delay on our part [in taking action],”
Shah reported that the violence, which erupted in May 2023, has resulted in the deaths of 260 people, with 80 percent of those fatalities occurring within the first month.
While he refrained from comparing current violence to that of previous administrations, he recounted the clashes between the Naga and Kuki communities in the 1990s, which lasted five years and resulted in 750 deaths.
He mentioned,
“Sporadic violence continued for a decade where 750 people lost their lives. There were Kuki-Paite clashes in 1997-98 when 352 people were killed. In the Meitei-Pangal clashes in the 1990s, over 100 people died. Neither the then prime minister nor the then home minister visited Manipur.”
Amit Shah criticized the notion that violence erupted solely during the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) tenure.
Members from various parties supported the decision while criticizing the Centre for the current situation in the state.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, participating in the debate, expressed his party’s support for the resolution but called for the restoration of peace and stability in the region.
He stated,
“End insurgency, restore peace and stability, promote dialogue with each other, promote inclusivity,”
TMC’s Sayani Ghosh also endorsed the resolution, advocating for an early return to peace. DMK’s K. Kanimozhi emphasized the need to end “divisive” politics in Manipur, stating,
“We want normalcy to return, peace and harmony should be restored. We also want the formation of an elected government.”
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant voiced concerns about the ongoing situation in Manipur, asserting that peace must be restored. NCP (SCP) member Supriya Sule remarked that President’s rule is detrimental to democracy and called for “strong intervention” from the home minister to re-establish normalcy.