Lok Sabha Approves President’s Rule in Manipur Amid Criticism

New Delhi: The Lok Sabha on Thursday approved a Statutory Resolution imposing President’s Rule in Manipur, with members across party lines backing the move while sharply criticizing the Centre’s handling of the crisis in the state.

Responding to the debate, Union Home Minister Amit Shah defended the government’s actions, asserting that all necessary steps have been taken to restore peace in the violence-hit Northeastern state. He assured the House that Manipur has remained largely peaceful for the past four months, and discussions are ongoing with both the Meitei and Kuki communities to resolve the conflict.

“While the situation is largely peaceful, I would not call it satisfactory as long as people remain in relief camps. The government is making every effort to restore normalcy,” Shah said.

He attributed the ethnic violence to a Manipur High Court order, stating that the government acted immediately by deploying central forces. Providing an update on the casualties, he informed Parliament that 260 people have died since clashes erupted in May 2023, with 80% of the deaths occurring in the first month.

Shah also highlighted the history of ethnic conflicts in Manipur, referencing the Naga-Kuki clashes of the 1990s, the Kuki-Paite violence of 1997-98, and the Meitei-Pangal clashes, underscoring that such conflicts are not new to the state.

The approval of President’s Rule marks a significant moment in Manipur’s crisis, as political observers closely watch the Centre’s next moves to restore stability.