How Meiteis and Kukis see President’s Rule in Manipur

Security has now been stepped up in the state. Before the official President’s Rule order, a security plan was prepared and the state police and intelligence agencies were monitoring movements of certain individuals to prevent any untoward incident.

The valley-based Meitei group, Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), said the move to impose President’s Rule points to a “sinister agenda” to place Manipur, particularly the Meitei community, under direct military control. It sought a time-bound process to elect a new popular government.

On the other hand, the Kuki Inpi Manipur, the apex body of Kuki tribes in Manipur, Friday welcomed President’s Rule but reiterated its demand for a separate administration.

“The Kuki Inpi Manipur acknowledges the imposition of the President’s Rule in Manipur as a necessary intervention, albeit long overdue. The collapse of law and order under the Manipur state government, led by former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, resulted in the irreparable suffering of the Kuki-Zo people. While we appreciate this step, we firmly reiterate that neither the resignation of N Biren Singh nor the invocation of the President’s Rule alters our resolute demand for a separate administration under Article 239(A) of the Indian Constitution,” read a statement.

After Biren’s resignation, Kuki-Zo groups have been in favour of President’s Rule rather than another Manipur BJP leader succeeding him as chief minister, saying another Meitei chief minister would not be an acceptable alternative.

“The invocation of the President’s Rule, while a step forward, does not resolve the deep-rooted crisis. True justice can only be achieved through the full recognition of the Kuki-Zo people’s rights and privileges as citizens of India — by granting a separate administration that ensures our security, dignity, and rightful governance,” the KIM stated.

Sources in the government establishment have suggested that the period of President’s Rule could be used to launch extensive operations to flush out weaponry that is widespread in both the hills and the valley.

COCOMI questioned the Union government’s “true intentions”.

“The sudden and unreasonable imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur by the Government of India, despite the BJP having an absolute majority in the state, is seen as a deliberate ploy to push Manipur further into turmoil. This move raises serious questions about the central government’s true intentions, as it shifts the blame onto the alleged incompetence of its own BJP MLAs rather than addressing the real issues at hand,” it said in a statement.

“This blatant power manoeuvre indicates a sinister agenda to place Manipur, particularly the Meitei community, under direct military control… COCOMI demands an immediate and time-bound process to elect a new leader and restore a popular government at the earliest. Failure to do so will make every BJP MLA and leader in Manipur directly accountable to the people for their political irresponsibility and betrayal. The people of Manipur must remain vigilant and united against any attempt to subjugate them under military rule,” it said.