A political storm is brewing in Manipur after Biren Singh claimed that a rule change in the Assembly’s procedures permits unauthorized village creation. He alleges the change deviates from the original 1972 Gazette and calls it a dangerous conspiracy.
BY PC Bureau
June 26, 2025 – Former Chief Minister Biren Singh has written to the Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, alleging a “deep-seated conspiracy” to destabilize the state through an alteration in a key legislative document.
In a strongly worded post on X, Singh claimed that a clause in the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Manipur Legislative Assembly has been modified to permit the unchecked establishment of new villages, potentially threatening the region’s stability.
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The issue centers on a comparison between the original Gazette of India, dated June 20, 1972, and the tenth edition of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business published by the Manipur Legislative Assembly Secretariat. Singh highlighted a specific discrepancy involving clause (9), which pertains to “The appointment or succession of Chief or Headman.” According to the former Chief Minister, the original Gazette notification does not include provisions that would allow for the arbitrary creation of new villages, a feature he alleges has been surreptitiously added in the Assembly’s version.
CONSPIRACY TO DESTROY MANIPUR RUNS DEEP: ASSEMBLY CLAUSE ALTERED TO ALLOW ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW VILLAGES
I have written to the Hon’ble Governor of Manipur to draw attention to a serious issue. There seems to be a disturbing alteration between the original Gazette of India and the… pic.twitter.com/1JI36R9Gm4
— N. Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) June 25, 2025
In his X post, Singh stated, “CONSPIRACY TO DESTROY MANIPUR RUNS DEEP: ASSEMBLY CLAUSE ALTERED TO ALLOW ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW VILLAGES.” He further elaborated that he has written to the Honorable Governor of Manipur to address this “serious issue,” urging an investigation into the apparent tampering. A copy of the letter to the Governor was promised in the comments section of his post, though it was not immediately accessible at the time of this report.
The original Gazette, published under the Ministry of Home Affairs, outlines the legislative powers and procedures for the Manipur Legislative Assembly, including the definition of terms like “Assembly,” “Governor,” and “Hill Areas Committee.” The document, marked as extraordinary and registered under No. D. 221, includes a notification signed by the President of India, effective from June 20, 1972. In contrast, the Assembly’s tenth edition, also referencing the same clause (9), appears to diverge in its interpretation or addition of powers related to village establishment, a change Singh deems unauthorized and dangerous.
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This development has sparked widespread speculation about the motives behind the alleged alteration. Critics of the move suggest it could facilitate demographic changes or administrative overreach, particularly in the sensitive Hill Areas of Manipur, which have long been a focal point of ethnic and territorial disputes. Singh’s accusation of a “conspiracy” hints at political or external interference, though he has not yet named specific parties or groups responsible.
Singh’s intervention has prompted calls for transparency and a thorough review of the legislative documents involved. Political analysts suggest that this could lead to a broader debate on the governance and autonomy of Manipur’s legislative processes.
This unfolding situation is likely to dominate political discourse in Manipur in the coming days, with potential implications for the state’s administrative and social fabric.
