Lok Sabha Backs President’s Rule in Manipur Amid Calls for Peace

In a late-night session on Thursday, the Lok Sabha passed a Statutory Resolution endorsing the imposition of President’s rule in Manipur, a decision that garnered support from opposition parties despite their criticism of the central government’s handling of the state’s ongoing unrest.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, addressing a brief debate, defended the government’s efforts to stabilize the northeastern state, asserting that no violent incidents have occurred in Manipur over the past four months. He highlighted ongoing dialogues with the Meitei and Kuki communities aimed at achieving a lasting resolution. “The situation is largely calm, though it’s not fully satisfactory while people remain in relief camps,” Shah told the House. “We are doing everything possible to ensure peace returns to Manipur.”

Shah traced the origins of the ethnic clashes to a Manipur High Court ruling, which sparked violence in May 2023. He noted that central forces were swiftly deployed following the court’s order, rejecting claims of delay. According to Shah, the unrest has claimed 260 lives since it began, with 80 percent of the deaths occurring within the first month.

Drawing historical parallels, Shah referenced past ethnic conflicts in Manipur, including the Naga-Kuki clashes of the 1990s, which claimed 750 lives over five years, and the Kuki-Paite violence of 1997-98, where 352 perished. He also cited the Meitei-Pangal clashes from the same decade, which left over 100 dead, pointing out that no prime minister or home minister visited the state during those periods. Shah refuted suggestions that violence has only surged under BJP governance, calling such narratives misleading.

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Opposition voices, while backing the resolution, pressed for urgent action. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor emphasized the need to end insurgency, restore stability, and foster dialogue and inclusivity in the state. Trinamool Congress’s Sayani Ghosh echoed the call for swift peace restoration, as did DMK’s K Kanimozhi, who urged an end to “divisive” politics. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant expressed alarm at the current state of affairs, while NCP (SCP)’s Supriya Sule labeled President’s rule a setback for democracy, urging Shah to intervene decisively.

The resolution, formally 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,” passed via a voice vote. The violence, which erupted after a “Tribal Solidarity March” protesting the high court’s decision, has prompted multiple attempts by the central government to mediate between the conflicting communities.