Manipur awaits justice

It has been over two months since President’s Rule was imposed in Manipur on February 13, 2025. The state assembly, whose term was due to last until 2027, has been placed under suspended animation, as notified by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The imposition followed clear signs that the Biren Singh-led BJP coalition government, which included the NPF, had lost its majority when 12 of the 32 BJP lawmakers demanded a change in leadership. The political crisis deepened after the release of leaked audio tapes, which the opposition Congress party claimed demonstrated that Biren Singh had instigated the recent violence in the state. A forensic analysis conducted by Truth Labs, a private non-profit laboratory, confirmed that 93 percent of the audio matched Singh’s voice. The Supreme Court took cognizance of the matter and requested a report from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory regarding the tapes. Amid rising public anger, the 12 BJP MLAs acted on what many felt should have been addressed two years earlier when violence first rocked Manipur, a situation in which Biren Singh’s role was seen as facilitating the unrest. Adding to the BJP coalition’s troubles, its ally, the NPP with seven MLAs, withdrew support. The opposition Congress, which had won both parliamentary seats in 2024 from Manipur decisively, issued a notice for a no-confidence motion against the government. Faced with mounting pressure, Biren Singh resigned from his position as Chief Minister. His resignation came as it became evident that both the dissenting BJP legislators and the NPP were unified in their stance against his leadership. To prevent further embarrassment to the BJP, Singh stepped down, paving the way for the central BJP leadership to impose President’s Rule, albeit belatedly. The delay in decisive action came at a heavy cost. Official figures indicate that over 260 people have died, 1,500 sustained injuries, and more than 70,000 were displaced due to the violence. The unrest took on a religious dimension, with over 360 churches burned and various religious establishments desecrated, highlighting the deep ethnic and communal fault lines. Throughout this period, there was no public condemnation of the violence by BJP leaders apart from statements expressing sorrow and calling for peace. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has yet to visit Manipur, a fact noted in the Lok Sabha by Congress MP Shafi Parambil, who stated, “Our Prime Minister took 38 trips abroad but never visited Manipur.” The central government was aware of developments in Manipur; however, the response was widely seen as disconnected from the realities on the ground. The principle of justice, which must apply impartially, remains central to Manipur’s path forward.In light of the severity of the crisis, it has been suggested that the Centre, through the Governor of Manipur, should order a thorough inquiry led by a sitting Supreme Court judge. This inquiry would investigate the causes of the violence and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents, especially in other states sharing borders with Myanmar or Bangladesh. Additionally, it has been proposed that Biren Singh abstain from making public statements or addressing the media, given his central role in the controversy. Such measures, following President’s Rule, may help lay a foundation for restoration and healing in the state.