The horror of the Manipur violence reached the global stage after a video surfaced showing two women being paraded naked following a gang rape. The riots, which began in May 2023, have yet to subside even after a year. Over 250 people have been killed, thousands displaced and hundreds injured. Chief Minister N Biren Singh, who faced intense criticism over his handling of the violence, attempted to cling to power for an extended period. However ultimately he had to resign.

Singh had once prepared to resign but reversed his decision following dramatic events. When he set out to meet the Governor with his resignation letter, his supporters intercepted him and tore up the letter. After rumours of his resignation spread, hundreds, including many women, gathered outside his residence in Imphal to express their support. This led to the incident where the resignation letter was destroyed. Despite allegations that these events were staged, Singh remained unfazed. Later, he issued a public apology for the violence, but growing opposition within his party eventually forced him to step down. His resignation came amid speculation of an impending no-confidence motion, despite his earlier assertions that the government was doing everything possible to restore peace in Manipur.

From footballer to BJP CM

N Biren Singh, a former BSF personnel, footballer and journalist, entered active politics in 2002. He joined the Congress the following year, rising to become a minister and a key leader. In 2016, he switched to the BJP, winning elections and becoming the state’s first BJP Chief Minister. After being re-elected in 2022, some of Singh’s policies were criticised for heightening tensions between the Meitei and Kuki communities. Singh employed every tactic to remain in power, and while critics labelled incidents like the tearing of his resignation letter as political theatre, he had already become a beloved figure among the Meitei community. However, the Kukis accused him not only of failing to quell the violence but also of contributing to the escalation. Reports suggested that the inclusion of Biren Singh in peace committees led to the Kukis boycotting these efforts.

Protests leading to ethnic riots

The violence was triggered by protests following a Manipur High Court order recommending the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe list. The ethnic clashes that ensued have claimed over 250 lives so far.

NPP withdraws from BJP alliance

Expressing deep concern over the law and order situation in Manipur, the National People’s Party (NPP), led by Meghalaya leader Conrad Sangma, withdrew its support for the Manipur government. In an official letter to BJP President J P Nadda, the NPP criticised the Biren Singh-led government for its complete failure to control the ethnic violence and restore peace. The NPP was the second-largest party in the alliance, holding seven MLAs. Their withdrawal was based on the assertion that Biren Singh’s government had failed to manage the unrest.

Biren Singh’s public apology

Biren Singh previously issued a statement expressing regret over the incidents of violence and apologised to the people. His words were: "I am deeply saddened by what has transpired from May 3 until today. I wish to apologise. Many have lost their loved ones, and many more have been forced to flee their homes. I sincerely regret this and seek forgiveness. Seeing the progress towards peace over the last three to four months, I hope the state will return to normalcy and peace will be restored in the new year. What has happened has happened; we must move past old mistakes and start a new life. Manipur should be peaceful and prosperous. We must all live together."

Blaming foreign powers to retain power

At one point, Biren Singh suggested that foreign forces might be behind the riots that led to mass casualties in Manipur. This statement came as opposition parties were demanding his resignation for failing to suppress the violence. 
"Manipur shares a border with Myanmar and China is also nearby. There are approximately 398 km of unguarded borders. Although security forces are present, they cannot monitor the entire vast area. Therefore, we cannot completely rule out or confirm the involvement of foreign powers," he said in an interview. 

He also suggested the violence appeared to be premeditated but admitted uncertainty about the exact causes.

In his resignation letter to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Singh stated that serving the people of Manipur had been a great honour. He thanked the Central Government for its timely interventions in protecting the interests of the people of Manipur and in the execution of various development projects. 

The entire nation is now watching closely to see whether Singh’s resignation will pave the way for peace to be restored in the state.