President's rule in Manipur, Cong says only after social fabric severely damaged

The Congress on Thursday said it has been demanding imposition of President's rule in strife-torn Manipur for the past 20 months and the Central government acquiesced only after the fabric of the state's society was allowed to be "severely damaged".

President's rule was imposed in strife-torn Manipur on Thursday and the state assembly was put under suspended animation, days after chief minister N. Biren Singh resigned from his post, leading to political uncertainty in the northeastern state.

"Finally, what the Indian National Congress has been demanding for almost 20 months has happened. President's rule has been imposed in Manipur.

"This has come after what the Supreme Court called 'the absolute breakdown of constitutional machinery in the state' that saw the killing of over 300 people and displacement of over 60,000 men, women, and children since May 3, 2023," Congress MP and general-secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X.

"This has come after the fabric of Manipur's society has been allowed to be severely damaged if not totally destroyed," he wrote.

Ramesh said the move has come after the BJP and its allies got a huge majority in February 2022, but their politics led to the "colossal tragedy" just 15 months later.

"This has come after the Union Home Minister clearly failed to manage Manipur, which had been entrusted to him by the PM. This has come even as the globe-trotting PM steadfastly refuses to visit Manipur and begin the process of reconciliation," the Congress leader said while taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not visiting the trouble-torn state.

The Manipur assembly, whose tenure ends in 2027, has been put under suspended animation, according to a notification issued by the ministry of home affairs.

Biren Singh, who was heading the BJP government in Manipur, resigned as chief minister after nearly 21 months of ethnic violence that has claimed over 250 lives so far.

He quit on 9 February and submitted his resignation to governor Ajay Bhalla in Imphal, hours after his meeting with Union home minister Amit Shah. The decision to impose Central rule was taken after the governor sent a report to President Droupadi Murmu.

Meanwhile, the Manipur unit of the CPI(M) said President's rule should be immediately revoked and fresh elections held at the earliest.

Speaking to reporters, CPI(M) state committee secretary Ksh Shanta said the party along with other like-minded parties will stand for the state's territorial integrity during President's rule.

"CPI(M) and all aligned parties will stand for the territorial integrity of the state during President's rule and any attempt to break the state will not be allowed," Shanta added. She asserted that the selfish quest for power among legislators brought the state to such a situation.

Senior BJP leader Sambit Patra rushed to the CM's secretariat after Central rule was announced and stayed there for 40 minutes. However, it is not known if he met Singh.

Announcing the proclamation of Central rule, a notification issued by the MHA said President Droupadi Murmu is of the opinion that "a situation has arisen in which the government of that state cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.

"Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Article 356 of the Constitution, and of all other powers enabling me in that behalf, I hereby proclaim that I – assume to myself as President of India all functions of the Government of the State of Manipur and all powers vested in or exercisable by the Governor of that State," the notification said.