The Lok Sabha on Thursday formally adopted a Statutory Resolution confirming the imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur, with members across party lines acknowledging the necessity of the decision while criticizing the central government for its handling of the prolonged crisis in the state. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in his response to the discussion, asserted that the government had taken all possible steps to restore normalcy in Manipur, which has been reeling under ethnic tensions since May 2023. He assured the House that the situation had remained largely peaceful over the past four months and that discussions were ongoing with both the Meitei and Kuki communities to reach a resolution.
“By and large, the situation is peaceful. However, as long as people remain displaced in relief camps, I cannot say it is satisfactory. The government is making every effort to bring back peace,” Shah stated. The Home Minister attributed the origins of the violence to an order passed by the Manipur High Court in early 2023. He maintained that the central government had acted swiftly, deploying security forces via airlift on the same day the order was issued. Providing figures on the devastation, Shah informed the House that 260 people had lost their lives since the conflict erupted, with 80% of the casualties occurring in the initial month of violence. Comparing it to past communal clashes, he pointed out that ethnic strife had long troubled Manipur, citing the Naga-Kuki clashes of the 1990s, Kuki-Paite tensions of 1997-98, and the Meitei-Pangal violence of the same era.
While most parties supported the resolution, several opposition leaders raised concerns about the political and humanitarian impact of President’s Rule. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor stressed the need for urgent steps to end insurgency and restore stability in the state. “We support the resolution but demand a concrete roadmap for peace, inclusivity, and stability in Manipur,” he said. TMC leader Sayani Ghosh and DMK MP K Kanimozhi echoed similar sentiments, with Kanimozhi urging an end to “divisive politics” and advocating for the swift restoration of an elected government in Manipur. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant and NCP (SCP) leader Supriya Sule also emphasized the need for immediate intervention to bring the state back to normalcy.
The resolution, titled ‘Consideration on the Proclamation issued by the President on February 13, 2025, under Article 356 (1) of the Constitution in relation to the State of Manipur,’ was adopted by a voice vote.The unrest in Manipur escalated after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organized in protest against the High Court’s order. Since then, the central government has undertaken multiple efforts to facilitate peace talks between the conflicting groups. Despite assurances of calm, opposition leaders and civil society groups continue to push for a permanent and sustainable resolution to the crisis. With President’s Rule now in effect, the political uncertainty in Manipur is expected to persist until conditions improve sufficiently for the conduct of fresh elections. In the meantime, the focus remains on security measures, dialogue between communities, and efforts to rehabilitate those displaced by the violence.
