Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, that no violence has been reported in Manipur in the past four months and the ministry will soon convene a meeting of both the communities to find a lasting solution in the Northeastern State.
| Photo Credit: ANI
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Wednesday (April 2, 2025) that no violence has been reported in Manipur in the past four months and the Ministry will soon convene a meeting of both the communities to find a lasting solution in the Northeastern State.
He said that the President’s rule was imposed when majority of the MLA’s said they were not in a position to form the government after the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh on February 9.
“Congress did not have enough numbers to bring a no confidence motion in the Assembly. The CM resigned, when majority MLAs said they were not in a position to form the government, the prresident’s rule was imposed. We want restoration of peace at the earliest, to heal the wounds,” Mr, Shah said.
He moved the statutory resolution on proclamation of President’s Rule in Manipur in the Lok Sabha around 2 am Wednesday.
More than 250 people have been killed in the ethnic violence between the Meitei and the tribal Kuki-Zo people that erupted in the State on May 3, 2023.
The resolution “That this House approves the Proclamation issued by the President on the 13th February, 2025 under article 356(1) of the Constitution in relation to the State of Manipur” was approved by the Lok Sabha.
Mr. Shah asserted that a Manipur High Court order on reservation which was interpreted differently by both the communities triggered the violence. “I want to make it clear that it was not a case of riot or terrorism, it is an ethnic violence which erupted due to the interpretation of a High Court order,” the minister said.
Members expressed concern that peace be restored and people should be rehabilitated soon, he said. “In the past four months there has been no violence. Food, medicines has been ensured in relief camps. Online facility for technical and medical education is there and provision for primary education has been made at the camps,” the minister said adding that no politics should be done on the issue as violence has been reported in the State in the past as well.
“Before our government came in Manipur in 2017, the State as shut for 212 days, more than 1,000 encounters took place leading to Supreme Court’s intervention. …The day the HC judgement came, central forces were sent on special planes. There was no delay. Government is making all efforts to bring peace,” he said.
The Minister said that after the President’s rule was imposed, two meetings with both communities have taken place. “First attempt is to establish peace. No violence in the past four months, we cannot be reassured till people are forced to live in relief camps.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah moved the statutory resolution on proclamation of President’s Rule in Manipur in the Lok Sabha around 2 am Wednesday.
Mr. Shah moved the resolution “That this House approves the Proclamation issued by the President on the 13th February, 2025 under article 356(1) of the Constitution in relation to the State of Manipur.”
Congress’ Shashi Tharoor said his party supported the resolution and the Union Government should initiate dialogue between the two communities. “Use President’s rule to restore the legitimacy of the State of India in Manipur. No one should go through what the people of Manipur have gone through. Let us not use President’s rule as a mere law and order issue,” Mr. Tharoor.
Lalji Verma of Samajwadi Party said the opposition had demanded President’s rule much earlier but no action was being taken against the ongoing and people should be given an opportunity to elect a government soon.
Sayani Ghosh of the Trinamool Congress questioned the timing of the Central rule. “Had we given importance to Manipur earlier, we would not have reached this stage. It is embarrassing that a State has been placed under President’s Rule and 80 crore people are given free ration in the country,” Ms. Ghosh said.
DMK MP Kanimozhi said government had chosen past midnight hours to discuss the issue which shows the regard they had for the State. “You don’t even want to give us time to discuss the issue properly. More than 260 live shave been lost. CM of the state was involved in encouraging violence. There was bloodhsed after the home minister promised free movement. What is the point of President’s Rule?
Arvind Sawant of Shiv Sena (UBT) said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was yet to visit the strife-torn State. “Medical students are suffering. The division between the communities should be healed,” Mr. Sawant said.
Supriya Sule of NCP (SCP) said that President’s Rule is not good for democracy.
Published – April 03, 2025 03:47 am IST
