Will President’s Rule be imposed in Manipur?

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has called an all party meeting to discuss the situation in Manipur on Saturday

With no end in sight to the violence and intermittent firing, is Manipur likely to come under President’s Rule?

Well, with peace efforts not making any headway and intermittent violence continuing, the Centre may to be soon left with not much of an option other than considering imposition of President’s Rule in the strife-torn state.

Even 50 days after the violence, the Kuki leadership continues to see the N Biren Singh Government as the perpetrator of the violence. While Chief Minister N Biren Singh has indicated that Naga leaders have been entrusted to play some kind of a mediatory role with the Kuki leadership to bring about peace, the absence of a formal announcement has left the same in the realm of speculation.

On their part, Meiteis across the board have been saying that Kuki militants armed with sophisticated weapons are behind the attacks in villages spread across the valley right under the nose of security forces. Meitei civilians have themselves taken up the task of protecting their villages and property as they perhaps feel that the state has failed to provide them protection. The Kukis too are relying on what they call the village defence volunteers.

The Meiteis, angry with the State, have also burnt done several homes of politicians including that of Union Minister of State for External Affairs, RK Ranjan.

The peace committee set up by the centre has become a non-starter. Appeals for peace from various quarters including that from Chief Minister N Biren Singh have not had many takers.

In this backdrop, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has called an all party meeting to discuss the situation in Manipur on Saturday.

Now, the BJP in the state seems divided, with 8 party MLAs and 1 Independent MLA, who supports the BJP, submitting a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi stating that there has been a complete breakdown of law and order in the state and that the people have lost all faith on the state government. Earlier, Union Minister of State for External Affairs, RK Ranjan too had said that there has been a complete collapse of law and order in Manipur despite the presence of over 40,000 central troops in the state.

What options, therefore, does the centre have other than dismissing the N Biren Government and imposing President’s Rule?

The Kuki leadership of course has been openly demanding Presidents’ Rule in Manipur. The picture may perhaps be clear after HM Shah concludes the all party meet on Saturday.

Also Read: 5 incidents of violence rock Manipur in last 24 hours, 2 dead after suspected IED planted in SUV goes off

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