Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has emerged from the unprecedented crisis in his state to live another day amidst what his critics called a dramatic drama. After fresh protests started on the streets of Imphal and continued until late at night, there was news of Singh considering resignation on Friday in Manipur.
Initially, this information was taken lightly as the Chief Minister remained firm on his stance despite the violence persisting for over 50 days. As the day progressed, at 1 pm, the Chief Minister’s meeting with Governor Anusuya Uikey was officially confirmed. By that time, close associates of power had a field day with off-the-record feeding media, eagerly awaiting information about the incident and its own version.
Some people said that the Chief Minister was deeply hurt by the personal attacks against him by the women protesters who came down to the streets the previous night. Some media outlets claimed that the Home Ministry has observed a new turn of events in the unrest.
According to sources reported by Sangai Express in Imphal, the Center had given the Chief Minister the option to either resign or face dismissal. Sources further said that “New Delhi” had made multiple calls to the Chief Minister, and these calls were “unusually harsh.”
The fresh issue arose on Thursday when alleged clashes between militant groups and two Martyrs of Manipur Gram Raksha Swayamsevak (MRGS) occurred at a place between Imphal West and Kangpokpi districts.
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Displeased with the government’s failure to protect “innocent lives,” thousands of women protesters gathered in Khwairamband Ima Bazaar on Thursday evening. They had to engage in a fierce clash with the police to march towards the Chief Minister’s official residence with the body of a deceased person.
The police had to work hard to control those protesters who were vehement critics of the government, especially the Chief Minister. The evening’s protest turned into a double blow for the Biren Singh government, which was already trying to prevent Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Churachandpur affected by violence along the road. Gandhi had to be forced to travel by helicopter to the hill district.
In Bishnupur, the police stopped the convoy of the Congress leader, resulting in heavy protests from the locals. The police had to resort to tear gas to disperse the crowd.
The day-long events further worsened the already fragile situation of the government. The trust in Biren Singh from the Center is diminishing, which became apparent when the Home Ministry recently reduced its responsibilities, stating that he would take care of the hills while the state government should focus only on restoring peace in the valley. Home Minister Amit Shah had informed the Chief Minister of this on June 25. The message was clear that the Chief Minister was living on borrowed time.
The increasing support for Rahul Gandhi and the strong protests against the killings made it clear that the government is also losing the trust of the valley’s people.
It seemed almost apparent that Biren Singh, who has been serving as the Chief Minister of the politically unstable Northeastern state since 2017, is now counting his days. However, a few hours later, the 62-year-old footballer-turned-politician emerged from the crisis.
His critics claim that he played a drama of resignation to deceive the people and shield their eyes from the crisis. As soon as news of his possible resignation leaked, his supporters, party workers, and ministers gathered in front of his official residence. They celebrated his decision to continue in office and chanted slogans in his support. The Chief Minister thanked them and expressed his commitment to work for the welfare of the people of Manipur.
During this time, the Chief Minister postponed his meeting with the Governor until three o’clock in the afternoon. This provided more time for supporters to gather around. Finally, when the Chief Minister stepped out of his residence to go to the Raj Bhavan, which was a difficult 400 meters away, the female supporters stopped his convoy. They started appealing to the Chief Minister not to resign. At one point, when a female supporter allegedly snatched and tore the resignation letter from a cabinet colleague who was reassuring the crowd, the torn letter went viral, once again intensifying the pressure on the Chief Minister so that no one had any doubts.
Interestingly, the paper was torn with such precision that none of the words of the resignation were damaged or torn. Amidst this “drama,” the Chief Minister returned to his residence without going to the Raj Bhavan. Later, he tweeted, “At this crucial juncture, I want to make it clear that I will not resign from the position of Chief Minister.”
Keisham Meghachandra Singh, the President of Manipur Congress, described the entire sequence of events as a “step taken to deflect the increasing pressure on the Chief Minister to resign.”
“On June 21, the Chief Minister had publicly admitted in front of the media that the decline in law and order and intelligence failure was the reason behind the violence. We are saying that he should take moral responsibility for the failure and resign,” stated Keisham Meghachandra to The Federal.
The Congress leader further alleged that instead of resigning, the Chief Minister gathered BJP workers from his constituency in front of his house to block the way to the Raj Bhavan. “Isn’t it surprising that a supporter succeeded in tearing up the resignation letter, which should have been in a file?” questioned Meghachandra.
Whether through staging or otherwise, the entire drama has aided Biren Singh in reclaiming his lost ground. Whatever unfolded on Friday, be it on the stage or otherwise, has temporarily subdued the demand for his resignation.
Notably, several organizations that were not directly supporting Biren Singh have also opposed his removal or the imposition of President’s rule. The Federation of Civil Society Organizations Manipur (FOSCOM) stated, “The people of the state will not permit any minister, legislator, or chief minister to resign at this critical time… They (referring to Biren Singh) cannot resign without fulfilling the task they have initiated.” said Chairman T. Manihar.
While stating that President’s rule would not be acceptable to the people of the state, he emphasized that the elected representatives should come together to restore peace in the state.
Lamenting on the situation, A. Imphal Loop, the President of All Manipur Kanba Ima Lup (AMKIL), said, “He (the CM) should resolve the issue before resigning.”
Loop had previously led naked protests by “Mothers of Manipur” in Kangla against the 2004 Thangjam Manorama rape and extrajudicial killing, deeply impacting the nation’s conscience.
“There is a clear difference of opinion on whether Biren Singh should resign or not. One faction wants him to stay while the other wants him to leave,” stated Onil Khurumayum, a human rights activist based in Imphal.
