Oppn seeks early restoration of peace, Kuki bodies hail decision

Opposition leaders on Sunday said N Biren Singh's resignation as Manipur chief minister was a decision too late and urged the Union government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make immediate intervention to end the ethnic tensions that have claimed at least 250 lives, displaced 60,000 people and upended normal life for close to two years in the region.

- HT Correspondents [e-mail]

GUWAHATI/NEW DELHI:

Leaders from the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities—who are on the two sides of the ethnic divide—saw little meaningful change from Singh's exit.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said Singh had "instigated division in Manipur" during his tenure. "PM Modi allowed him to continue despite the violence, loss of life, and the destruction of the idea of India in Manipur," Gandhi wrote on X.

The Congress leader demanded immediate intervention from the PM. "The most urgent priority is to restore peace in the state and work to heal the wounds of the people of Manipur. PM Modi must visit Manipur at once, listen to the people and finally explain his plan to bring back normalcy."

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said Singh's resignation "is like shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted."