Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh Likely to Step Down Amid Ongoing Violence

Amidst the ongoing violence in Manipur, there are strong indications that Chief Minister Biren Singh is likely to tender his resignation. A senior official in Manipur who is close to Singh said that he is likely to resign on Friday. According to reports, Singh has an appointment with Governor Anusuiya Uikey, during which he may submit his resignation.

The news of CM Biren Singh's resignation gained momentum following a news report published in a prominent English daily in Manipur, citing his alleged failure to quell the violence as the primary reason.

According to the report in Sangai Express, Singh received multiple calls from New Delhi on Thursday, offering him the choice to resign voluntarily or face the imposition of central administration. The report suggested that the legislative assembly could potentially be placed under temporary suspension. It should be noted, however, that there has been no official confirmation regarding the likelihood of Singh's resignation.

The news of Singh's possible resignation comes after a series of violent incidents in Manipur in recent weeks. The violence has been blamed on several armed groups, including the Kuki National Army (KNA) and the People's Liberation Army (PLA).

The KNA has been demanding a separate state for the Kuki community, while the PLA is fighting for an independent Manipur. The violence has displaced thousands of people and caused widespread damage to property.

Singh has been under fire from both the opposition and his own party for his handling of the violence. The opposition has demanded his resignation, while some BJP leaders have also expressed dissatisfaction with his performance.

This development comes two days after Governor Uikey's visit to New Delhi, where she held separate meetings with President Draupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, among others, to brief them about the situation in Manipur and the measures taken to restore peace.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is currently visiting the violence-hit state.

Singh has faced criticism not only from opposition parties but also from within his own party. Union Minister of State for External Affairs Raj Kumar Ranjan Singh, who hails from Manipur, openly accused the state government of failing to maintain law and order.
Singh made this accusation following an incident where his residence in Imphal was set ablaze by unidentified persons.

Home Minister Amit Shah met with Singh in New Delhi on June 25 to discuss the violence in Manipur. Shah is said to have expressed concern about the sporadic incidents of violence and Biren's failure to stop them.

Biren Singh, a Meitei leader, switched from the Congress party to the BJP in 2016 and assumed the role of Chief Minister after the BJP secured an absolute majority in the state during the 2017 Assembly elections. He began his second term as Manipur CM last year.