The government moved a statutory resolution in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, proposed by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, to extend President’s Rule in Manipur for another six months from August 13, 2025, under Article 356 of the Constitution. Speaker Om Birla noted that President’s Rule, initially imposed on February 13, 2025, following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh amid ethnic violence, was approved by Parliament on April 2, 2025. The resolution, already passed by the Rajya Sabha on July 25, requires approval from both Houses to extend central governance until February 13, 2026.

The debate saw sharp exchanges, with Congress MP Anto Antony calling the Manipur crisis a “manmade disaster” driven by government failure. “Manipur, once a jewel, has been reduced to ashes. Its green hills and harmony now bleed red,” Antony said, criticizing internet shutdowns, curfews, and police actions that he claimed worsened the situation. He highlighted the silence of PM Narendra Modi and the state’s descent into “uncontrolled violence and chaos.” The discussion was disrupted by sloganeering from treasury and opposition benches, particularly after TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar’s remarks in Bengali sparked objections, leading to a 30-minute adjournment until 5:30 PM, as Deputy Speaker Kumari Selja struggled to restore order.

Manipur’s unrest, rooted in Meitei-Kuki-Zomi clashes since May 3, 2023, has claimed 250 lives and displaced 60,000 people, triggered by a Tribal Solidarity March against a high court order on Meitei ST status. President’s Rule followed the BJP’s inability to appoint a successor to Singh, who resigned on February 9, 2025, before a no-confidence motion. Despite 21 NDA MLAs urging restoration of an elected government, citing public discontent, the Centre aims to stabilize law and order before elections, with joint security operations targeting insurgents.

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