Manipur’s Turmoil: Emotional Fallout from Tribal Solidarity March to Biren Singh’s Resignation
Amid escalating ethnic violence and political turbulence in Manipur, Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned on Sunday. He submitted his resignation letter to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, with the support of 14 MLAs from the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Naga People’s Front, citing it had been an honor to serve but recognizing the ongoing unrest as a pressing concern.
The violence stems from long-standing tensions between the Meiteis and the Kuki community, sparked by Meitei demands for inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe category, leading to violent clashes initially ignited on May 3, 2023. Despite efforts to quell the unrest, including intervention from the Supreme Court mandating basic relief amenities, violence persisted with significant loss of life and property.
Key incidents exacerbating the situation included a viral video in July 2023, depicting two Kuki women being stripped and paraded naked, which drew nationwide condemnation and forced Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the issue publicly. By August 2023, the opposition moved a no-confidence motion against the central government, indicating national-level discontent with the handling of the crisis.
Intermittent periods of calm were disrupted by further provocations, such as a leaked audio clip in September 2024, allegedly from CM Singh, reigniting hostilities resulting in 11 fatalities. November saw another escalation following the discovery of six bodies near the Manipur-Assam border, who had been missing from a relief camp after a skirmish.
Significantly, the National Peoples’ Party withdrew its support for Singh’s government, and by February 2025, Singh faced rising pressure from Congress, threatening a vote of no-confidence. Singh’s resignation is the latest chapter in this troubled saga, highlighting ongoing challenges in addressing ethnic tensions and political stability in the region. The state and central governments continue to confront calls for more decisive actions to restore peace and order to Manipur.
Original Source: https://news.abplive.com/news/india/manipur-violence-timeline-tribal-solidarity-march-that-led-to-violent-clashes-to-biren-singh-resignation-1750346
Category : India
Tags:
Publish Date: 2025-02-09 21:05:00
