Bipartisan Support in Parliament, But Strong Criticism of Centre Over Manipur Crisis
New Delhi, April 3 — The Lok Sabha, in a rare display of unity across party lines, adopted a statutory resolution in the early hours of Thursday confirming the imposition of President's Rule in Manipur. Despite their support for the move, several Members of Parliament voiced strong criticism against the Central government for its handling of the prolonged ethnic crisis in the northeastern state.Amit Shah: “No Violence in Past Four Months, Dialogue Ongoing”
Responding to the short debate on the resolution, Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured the House that the Centre has been actively working to restore peace in Manipur, which has witnessed deadly ethnic clashes since May 2023.While describing the current scenario as "by and large peaceful", Shah acknowledged that the presence of displaced people in relief camps meant the situation was still far from satisfactory. He reiterated the government's commitment to restoring normalcy.“There has been no violence in the last four months. We are in talks with both the Meitei and Kuki communities for a peaceful resolution,” Shah stated.
260 Killed Since May 2023, Majority in First Month
Shah revealed that 260 people have lost their lives in the ongoing violence, with 80% of deaths occurring in the first month of the conflict. He linked the eruption of violence to a Manipur High Court order, following which central forces were swiftly deployed.Refuting the narrative that the violence began under BJP rule, Shah highlighted past ethnic clashes in the state:
- Naga-Kuki clashes in the 1990s: 750 deaths over five years
- Kuki-Paite conflict (1997–98): 352 deaths
- Meitei-Pangal clashes in the 1990s: Over 100 deaths
“Neither the then prime minister nor the home minister visited Manipur during those incidents,” Shah pointed out.
Opposition Voices Demand Accountability and Inclusivity
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor lent support to the resolution but called for immediate restoration of peace and inclusive governance.
“End insurgency, restore peace and stability, promote dialogue, and inclusivity,” he urged.
TMC’s Sayani Ghosh echoed similar sentiments, backing the resolution but emphasizing the urgency of peace-building efforts.
K Kanimozhi of the DMK condemned what she termed "divisive politics" in Manipur and called for the return of a democratically elected government.
“Peace and harmony must be restored. An elected government is the need of the hour,” she asserted.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant and Supriya Sule of NCP (SCP) also expressed concern. Sule warned that President's Rule is not a healthy precedent for democracy and urged stronger action from the Home Ministry.
President's Rule Formally Ratified
The resolution titled ‘Consideration on the Proclamation issued by the President on the 13th February 2025 under Article 356 (1) of the Constitution in relation to the State of Manipur’ was passed by voice vote in the Lok Sabha.The current crisis traces its origin to a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ organised in protest against a high court ruling. Since then, the Centre has made repeated efforts to initiate dialogue between the warring communities, with limited success.
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