Imphal: In the wake of Chief Minister N Biren Singh’s resignation, Manipur has witnessed a significant escalation in security measures across the state. Additional security forces have been deployed in the capital city of Imphal and other sensitive areas to maintain law and order. The resignation of the Chief Minister, coupled with ongoing ethnic tensions, has created a volatile political and social environment in the state.
Massive Security Operations Yield Results
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, troops from the Indian Army and Assam Rifles, under the Spear Corps, conducted joint search operations in several districts of Manipur, including Tengnoupal, Kakching, Chandel, Bishnupur, and Imphal East. These operations, carried out in close coordination with the Manipur Police and other security forces, led to the apprehension of eight militant cadres.
The security forces also recovered a significant cache of arms and ammunition, including automatic weapons, rifles, pistols, single-barrel rifles, grenades, and other war-like stores. The operations targeted both hill and valley regions, reflecting the widespread nature of the security challenges in the state.
7th Session of Manipur Legislative Assembly Declared Null and Void
In a related development, the 7th session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly, which was scheduled to commence on February 10, has been declared “null and void” with immediate effect. The announcement was made through an official notice issued by Assembly Secretary K. Meghajit Singh on 9th February.
The decision was taken under the authority of Article 174(1) of the Constitution of India. The notice stated, “In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (1) of Article 174 of the Constitution of India, I, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Governor of Manipur, hereby order that the previous directive to summon the 7th session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly, which has yet to commence, is hereby declared null and void with immediate effect.”
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Manipur President A. Sharda Devi has publicly supported Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s decision to step down, describing it as a move made in the interest of peace and stability in the state. Speaking to the media on Sunday, Sharda Devi emphasised that Singh’s resignation was aimed at ensuring the welfare of Manipur and its people.
She stated, “Our Chief Minister has submitted his resignation to the Governor for the sake of the people. He has also requested the Centre to safeguard Manipur’s integrity and protect its citizens. His decision was made with the future of the state in mind. There are no differences among the party’s MLAs.”
Sharda Devi dismissed speculation of internal discord within the BJP’s legislative ranks, asserting that Singh’s resignation was a step toward restoring normalcy in Manipur.
Background of the Resignation
N Biren Singh resigned from his position on Sunday, submitting his resignation letter to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Raj Bhavan. His resignation comes nearly two years after ethnic violence first erupted in the state, leading to widespread unrest and displacement. The violence, which primarily involved clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities, has left deep scars on the state’s social fabric.
Singh’s tenure as Chief Minister was marked by efforts to quell the violence and restore peace, but the situation remained fragile. His resignation is seen as a significant political development, with potential implications for the state’s governance and security.
Looking Ahead
As Manipur navigates this period of political uncertainty, the focus remains on maintaining law and order and addressing the underlying causes of the ethnic tensions. The central government’s role in ensuring the state’s stability will be crucial in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the security forces’ successful operations against militant groups have been hailed as a positive step toward curbing violence. However, the road to lasting peace and reconciliation remains long and challenging.
The people of Manipur are hopeful that the political leadership, both at the state and central levels, will work together to restore normalcy and ensure a brighter future for the state.
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