Set the house in order in Manipur

Biren Singh stepping down as CM offers a chance to build peace between ethnic groups, heal wounds

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Biren Singh resigned as chief minister (CM) of Manipur on Sunday after occupying the office for eight years. Singh's decision to resign was forced by the prospect of losing a trust vote in the legislative assembly and rising dissension within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislature party at a time when Manipur has been burning in the fire of ethnic violence for 21 months. In his resignation, Singh made no mention of the state slipping into virtual anarchy. At least 250 people have died and thousands have been rendered homeless as the ethnic fault lines in Manipur, a legacy issue, widened and upset the delicate balance that existed between the Meitei majority of the Imphal Valley and the Kuki minority who reside in the hill districts. Singh's re