Mon Feb 10 05:49:24 UTC 2025: ## Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh Resigns Amidst Political Turmoil and Ethnic Violence

**Imphal, Manipur** – Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned on Sunday, ending nearly six years in office marked by escalating ethnic violence and growing political instability. His resignation, submitted to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, comes just hours after a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and days before a scheduled no-confidence motion in the state assembly.

The resignation follows nearly 21 months of ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities, resulting in over 250 deaths and the displacement of thousands. Singh’s tenure has been heavily criticized for its handling of the crisis, with opposition parties accusing him of instigating the violence. This criticism intensified after leaked audio tapes allegedly revealed his involvement in the conflict’s escalation. The Supreme Court recently ordered a forensic analysis of these tapes.

Singh’s departure was welcomed by some Kuki groups who have long demanded his resignation, but criticized by Meitei organizations who felt the timing was inappropriate. The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), a prominent Kuki group, stated that their agitation would continue until their demand for a separate administration is met. Conversely, Meitei groups expressed concern that the resignation would embolden Kuki separatist forces.

The BJP, Singh’s party, faced internal dissent in the lead-up to the resignation, with several MLAs threatening to oppose the government if Singh remained. Some BJP legislators even indicated they would sit with the opposition during the no-confidence motion. The governor subsequently cancelled the scheduled budget session of the Manipur assembly.

While Singh cited the central government’s interventions in maintaining Manipur’s territorial integrity, tackling infiltration, combating drug trafficking, and implementing border security measures as achievements, his legacy is largely defined by the prolonged ethnic conflict and the political fallout. The BJP will now begin the process of selecting his successor. The future of Manipur remains uncertain, with the ethnic tensions and political instability posing significant challenges for the state.

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