India’s opposition demands removal of Manipur state's chief minister amid ongoing violence

By Ahmad Adil

NEW DELHI (AA) – The Indian opposition is demanding the removal of incumbent Manipur state Chief Minister Biren Singh while ruling lawmakers have sought a review of the recent re-imposition of a controversial law in the conflict-ridden northeastern state amid ongoing violence, which has claimed dozens of lives.

Keisham Meghachandra Singh, the regional chief of the main opposition Congress party in Manipur, told Anadolu that the present situation remains "in the state of turmoil."

“It is a terrific tragedy which we are facing right now,” he said.

For the past few weeks, Manipur has been witnessing renewed violence following ethnic clashes in the state last year, which resulted in the killing of at least 180 people.

In the fresh violence, a protester was killed in firing during a clash with security forces in the state’s Jiribam district.

Fighting has been taking place between members of the majority Meitei and the Kuki tribal communities in the state.

Meitei are mostly Hindu and dominant in the state's population, while Kukis are mostly Christians, and among the most socio-economically disadvantaged groups in India.

“The law and order has totally collapsed. People are not feeling safe,” said Singh, adding people are “not happy with the measures taken by the government and they are not satisfactory.”

He said the need of the hour is “to change” the present Chief Minister Biren Singh.

“The people here say that Prime Minister Modi should visit Manipur. It can solve half of the problems,” he said.

The Modi government has rushed 5,000 more paramilitary personnel to the state.

However, senior Congress politician and former Home Minister P. Chidambaram said such a move was “not the answer to the Manipur crisis.”

To end the crisis, he also called for the “immediate” removal of Chief Minister Singh.

Congress has also written to Indian President Droupadi Murmu, seeking her intervention for "protection of lives and properties of our own citizens in Manipur."

- Continuing violence

The fresh violence erupted after a woman from the Kuki community was found burned to death in the state’s Jiribam district earlier this month.

Days later, at least 10 suspected militants – from the Kuki community-- were killed in armed clashes with security forces in the Jiribam district. Subsequently, authorities imposed a curfew in the district.

Later, six people from the Meitei community went missing.

Over the weekend, bodies of some of the missing people were found floating in a river and the incident triggered fresh protests.

Last week, Manipur police said “irate mobs” targeted various houses and properties of public representatives, including ministers and legislators in the capital Imphal.

About 23 people “indulging in ransacking and arson of the houses” were arrested, the police wrote on X.

Manipur’s Chief Minister Biren Singh late on Monday night said that “justice will be ensured and firm action will be taken against the perpetrators.”

“Key decisions on AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) and strengthening law and order were also taken to ensure peace and stability in the state,” he wrote on X, following a meeting with ruling legislators.

Modi’s government last week expanded the jurisdiction of the AFSPA to more areas in the state, which gives unhindered powers to the armed forces.