Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh tendered his resignation on Sunday amid ethnic violence in the state. Singh submitted his letter of resignation to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, accompanied by 14 MLAs from the Bharatiya Janata Party and Naga People’s Front (NPF).
“It has been an honour to serve the people of Manipur so far,” Singh said in his resignation letter.
The resignation, which Congress slammed as “belated”, came as the state continues to grapple with ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kukis.
The violence broke out on May 3, 2023, as the tribal Kuki community and majority, non-tribal Meiteis clashed over the proposed inclusion of the latter in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category.
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Here is a timeline of events that have unfolded in Manipur so far.
April 20, 2023: Manipur High Court directed the state goverment to consider the demand by Meitei community for ST status.
April 28, 2023: The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) called for a total shutdown against the government.
May 3, 2023: All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) took out a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ to oppose inclusion of Meiteis in the ST list. While the rally, attended by thousands of people reportedly ended peacefully, some miscerants set fire to the Anglo-Kuki War centenary gate leading to clashes.
May 4, 2023: CM Biren Singh calls violence a “misunderstanding between two communities.” Three people died out of the 33 critically injured in the clashes the previous day. Over the next few days, the violence continues with arson. CM Singh orders shoot-at-sight orders.
May 8, 2023: CM Singh says 60 people have died so far in the violence while 231 were injured. Hearing the matter, the Supreme Court directs union and state governments to ensure basic amenities like food, water, etc. in relief camps for internally displaced people.
May 29, 2023: Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Manipur.
July 19, 2023: A video of two Kuki women being stripped and paraded naked circulated on social media sparking nationwide outrage.
July 20, 2023: Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke for the first time about the violence amid criticism from the opposition. Referring to the video of the two women, PM Modi said this is “shameful for any civil society”.
Supreme Court took cognisance of the video. Then Chief Justice Of India DY Chandrchud said: “We will give some time to the government to act, or we will take action…This is deeply disturbing”.
August 10, 2023: Opposition moves no-confidence motion against BJP-led Central government.
April 19, 2024: Violence, voter intimidation and booth capturing reported during first phase of Lok Sabha polls. Election Commission of India ordered re-polling in 11 polling booths on April 22.
April 26, 2024: Incidents of disturbance reported again during the second phase of Lok Sabha polling with ECI ordering re-polling in six polling booths on April 30.
September 2024: After a period of relative calm, tensions escalated again after a purported audio clip featuring offensive remarks about a community, allegedly from CM Singh surfaced on social media. 11 people were killed in the ensuing violence.
October 18, 2024: 19 BJP MLAs write to PM Modi demadning to remove Biren Singh from CM post.
November 2024: Tension escalated once more after six people who went missing from a relief camp following a gunfight between Kuki militants and security forces, were found dead near the Manipur-Assam border.
Conrad Sangma’s National Peoples’ Party (NPP) withdrew support to the Biren Singh-led government.
February 9, 2025: Biren Singh resigns from CM post after Congress said to bring a no-confidence motion against his government.
February 9, 2025: Chief Minister Biren Singh resigns after Congress said it would bring no-confidence motion against his government.
