By Navin Upadhyay
Despite the reopening of schools in Manipur after weeks of unrest, the fragile calm belies a deeper turmoil. Beneath the surface, the specter of violence looms large, threatening to erupt again at any moment. As the state teeters on the edge, the Centre must confront the pressing need to impose President’s Rule and consider replacing Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, whose leadership has come under severe scrutiny.
Biren Singh’s tenure is marked by the unprecedented ethnic violence that has gripped Manipur for over 18 months. The Chief Minister has lost moral authority, having presided over escalating hostilities without achieving any progress in restoring peace. Distrusted by the Kuki-Zo community and increasingly disregarded by sections of the Meitei population, Singh’s inability to bring the two sides to the negotiation table has rendered his leadership ineffective.
The erosion of political support is evident. The National People’s Party (NPP), with seven MLAs in the 60-member assembly, recently withdrew its backing from the BJP-led government. The party accused Singh’s administration of failing to resolve the crisis and restore normalcy, further weakening his position.
Even within Singh’s own party, dissent is brewing. Reports suggest that last month 19 BJP MLAs, including senior ministers, wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding Singh’s removal. Leaked excerpts from the letter highlight their concerns about the economic and humanitarian toll of the conflict, including shortages of essential commodities and the state’s economic downturn.
“At this juncture, the people of Manipur are questioning why peace and normalcy have not been restored and why their plight remains unresolved. The removal of the Chief Minister is the only solution to save Manipur and the BJP in the state,” the letter reportedly states.
The MLAs also emphasized the urgent need for dialogue and reconciliation to create an atmosphere conducive to peace. Their warning was stark: the longer the conflict persists, the greater the risk of irreparable damage.
Ethnic Divides and External Pressures
Adding to the pressure is the Mizo National Front (MNF), a BJP ally in neighboring Mizoram, which has openly called for Singh’s resignation. The MNF accuses Singh of exacerbating tensions between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities through divisive policies and rhetoric. The party’s intervention highlights the broader regional implications of the crisis, as Mizoram shares cultural and ethnic ties with the Kuki-Zo people.
“This is no longer a state issue—it’s a humanitarian crisis. The Centre must act decisively to replace Biren Singh with a leader capable of bridging divides and restoring trust,” an MNF spokesperson stated.
Protests and Civil Disobedience
Tensions remain high on the ground, with influential Meitei groups like the Co-ordination Committee on Manipur Unity (COCOMI) intensifying their protests. Ignoring Singh’s appeals and the presence of security forces, COCOMI has carried out shutdowns and other acts of civil disobedience, further highlighting the Chief Minister’s diminishing influence.
What’s Next?
The BJP faces a critical decision: whether to continue supporting Biren Singh or heed the growing calls for his removal. The party’s choice could shape its future in Manipur and the broader Northeast region, where it has worked hard to establish its presence.
For the people of Manipur, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Displaced families from both the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities remain in limbo, awaiting a resolution that seems increasingly out of reach. As violence and mistrust persist, only decisive action can break the cycle of conflict and pave the way for lasting peace.
The Centre must act swiftly to address the root causes of the crisis, ensuring justice, dialogue, and reconciliation take precedence over political expediency. The fate of Manipur—and its fragile peace—depends on it.
