Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh’s resignation letter was torn up by his supporters when one of his party members was reading it out to the public. Singh was scheduled to meet Governor Anusuiya Uikey to submit his resignation. However, his supporters stopped him at his residence, urging him not to resign. It is worth noting that Singh has been under pressure to step down amid efforts to get the Centre to take over in the face of growing violence in the state.
“At this crucial juncture, I wish to clarify that I will not be resigning from the post of Chief Minister” tweeted Biren Singh on twitter announcing that he won’t be resigning. Since May, over 100 people have died in ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities. Meiteis constitute around 53% of the population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley, while Nagas and Kukis represent around 40% of the population and are concentrated in the hill districts.
At this crucial juncture, I wish to clarify that I will not be resigning from the post of Chief Minister.
— N. Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) June 30, 2023
The situation in Manipur has worsened due to the escalation of ethnic violence between the Meitei, Naga and Kuki tribes. The recent skirmishes were triggered by a rally held by the Naga and Kuki tribes against the Meitei tribe being given scheduled tribe status, which would provide them with better healthcare, education, and job opportunities.
The conflict has been ongoing since Manipur’s emergence as a state in 1949 and has caused hundreds of deaths. As a result of the recent unrest, more than 100 people have died, and tens of thousands have been displaced from their homes.
