President’s Rule in Manipur: A History of Political Turmoil and Governance Challenges

Introduction:

The conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in Manipur is one of the most significant ethnic clashes in recent Indian history. While tensions have existed for decades, the violence erupted in May 2023 brought the region into national and international focus. The imposition of the President’s Rule in Manipur in February 2025 marks a significant political and administrative shift in the state. The decision came after prolonged ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, leading to severe loss of life, displacement, and political instability. The failure of the state government, led by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, to restore peace and order resulted in his resignation and the central government taking direct control of Manipur’s administration. This move, while seen as necessary to curb unrest, raises questions about the long-term effectiveness of the President’s Rule in addressing deep-rooted ethnic tensions.

Historical background

Manipur has long been divided along ethnic and geographical lines, with the Meiteis residing in the Imphal Valley (about 10% of the state’s land) and the Kuki-Zo tribes living in the hill areas (90% of the land). The British reinforced this division by directly governing the valley while granting tribal autonomy in the hills. After independence, the Indian government continued these separate administrative policies. The Meiteis, despite being the majority community (53% of the population), were excluded from Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, while the Kuki-Zo and Naga communities retained ST protections. This led to increasing resentment among the Meiteis, who felt disadvantaged in terms of land ownership, education, and employment opportunities.

The immediate trigger for the 2023 violence was a Manipur High Court ruling on April 19, 2023, recommending ST status for the Meiteis. In response, the All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) organized a "Tribal Solidarity March" on May 3, 2023, protesting the court's decision. This demonstration escalated into violent clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, resulting in extensive loss of life and property. Both communities began targeting homes, businesses, and religious institutions. Reports indicate that churches, mostly belonging to Kuki-Zo Christians, were burned down in the valley, while Meitei homes and temples were destroyed in the hills. Various armed groups, including Meitei radical groups (like Arambai Tenggol) and Kuki militant factions, got involved, escalating the violence. Weapons were also looted from police armouries.

History of President's Rule in Manipur

Political Fallout in Manipur

Since May 2023, Manipur has been engulfed in violent clashes between the majority Meitei community and the minority Kuki-Zo tribes. The conflict, rooted in disputes over economic benefits and job quotas, has resulted in over 250 deaths and displaced approximately 60,000 individuals. The prolonged unrest underscored the state government's inability to restore peace and order.

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and belonging to the Meitei community, faced accusations of partiality towards his ethnic group. Critics argued that his administration's handling of the crisis favoured the Meiteis, exacerbating tensions with the Kuki-Zo community. This perceived bias eroded trust in his leadership and intensified calls for his resignation.

The political landscape further complicated Singh's position. The National People's Party (NPP), a key ally in the state coalition, withdrew its support, citing dissatisfaction with Singh's crisis management. Although the NPP later rejoined the coalition, the episode highlighted the fragile nature of the state's political alliances. Additionally, the opposition Congress party threatened a no-confidence motion against Singh's government in the upcoming assembly session, intensifying pressure on his leadership.

What is President’s Rule?

President’s Rule in a state is imposed under Article 356 of the Constitution when the President is satisfied that the government cannot function according to constitutional provisions. The President assumes the functions of the state government, the Governor, and any other administrative authority inside the state, effectively transferring the powers of the State Assembly to Parliament.

President’s Rule can be imposed due to certain conditions:

If the Governor of a state reports to the President that the state government cannot function according to constitutional provisions, the President may impose direct central rule, political stability i.e. If no party or coalition in the state assembly can form a stable government, if the state administration is unable to control riots, insurgencies, or violence, leading to governance failure and if a state government refuses to follow directions from the central government, it may be dismissed.

This measure can last up to three years, and the constitutional machinery must be restored within this period. The President may even revoke it at his or her discretion. The imposition or continuation of this rule in the state requires approval from Parliament. Additionally, the President's rule does not affect the fundamental rights of citizens.

President’s Rule in Manipur

In February 2025, the Indian government imposed President's Rule in Manipur following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. This instance marks the eleventh time President's Rule has been imposed in Manipur since its statehood in 1972. The previous ten instances were primarily due to political instability, breakdowns in coalition governments, and challenges in maintaining constitutional governance. These frequent interventions reflect the complex political and social landscape of the state

In the current scenario, Governor Ajay Bhalla has issued a seven-day ultimatum for individuals to surrender illegally possessed weapons, assuring no legal consequences for voluntary compliance within the stipulated timeframe. This measure aims to restore peace and order in the region. Around 6,000 weapons have been looted from state armouries during the conflict, which began in May 2023. In the latest such attempt, on February 8, six SLRs and three AK arms were looted from a police outpost in Thoubal district but were recovered the next day by the police.

Benefits of President's Rule in Manipur:

1. Restoration of Law and Order: With the state under direct federal control, the central government can deploy additional security forces and implement stringent measures to curb violence and maintain peace. This centralized approach ensures a coordinated and effective response to the unrest.
2. Focused Relief and Rehabilitation Efforts: Direct central oversight allows for the efficient allocation of resources for the relief and rehabilitation of those affected by the violence. The federal government can mobilize funds, coordinate with national agencies, and implement comprehensive programs to support displaced individuals and rebuild damaged infrastructure.
3. Preparation for Fresh Elections: The President's Rule provides an opportunity to stabilize the political environment, paving the way for free and fair elections. By addressing the root causes of instability and ensuring a peaceful atmosphere, the central administration can facilitate the democratic process, allowing the people of Manipur to elect a representative government.

Conclusion

The imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur is both a crisis management tool and a temporary solution to the state’s ongoing turmoil. While it provides immediate benefits such as restoration of law and order, relief efforts, and political stabilization, it does not resolve the fundamental issues driving the ethnic conflict. Sustainable peace in Manipur will require inclusive governance, reconciliation efforts between communities, and fair political representation.

References

1. The Constitution of India – Article 356: President’s Rule.
2. Government of India Reports & Press Releases – Available on Press Information Bureau (PIB).
3. Election Commission of India – Reports on state governance and elections (eci.gov.in).
4. Manipur State Government Website – Official records on governance and law & order (manipur.gov.in).
5. Ministry of Home Affairs Reports – Reports on law and order situations leading to President’s Rule (mha.gov.in).
6. Reuters – Political and security developments in India, including Manipur conflict updates (reuters.com).
7. The Hindu – Political analysis and governance updates (thehindu.com).
8. Indian Express – Coverage of constitutional crises and President’s Rule (indianexpress.com).
9. Times of India – News reports on state government developments (timesofindia.indiatimes.com).
10. NDTV – Analysis and breaking news on President’s Rule in Manipur (ndtv.com).
11. Scroll.in – In-depth reporting on governance and law enforcement in Manipur (scroll.in).
12. The Wire – Reports on political instability and law enforcement in Manipur (thewire.in).

Note:

The author affirms that this article is an entirely original work, never before submitted for publication at any journal, blog or other publication avenue. Any unintentional resemblance to previously published material is purely coincidental. This article is intended solely for academic and scholarly discussion. The author takes personal responsibility for any potential infringement of intellectual property rights belonging to any individuals, organizations, governments, or institutions.