After 21 months of unrest, Manipur CM N Biren Singh resigns amid growing dissent

Sources indicate Singh was losing support among party MLAs, with many expressing dissatisfaction

- VINAY KUMAR

Nearly twenty-one months after ethnic violence erupted in Manipur, Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned on Sunday, submitting his resignation to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at the Raj Bhavan in Imphal. His decision came amid growing pressure from the state BJP and recent controversies over his leadership.

The governor accepted Singh's resignation along with that of his council of ministers but requested him to continue in office until alternative arrangements are made. The development came shortly after Singh's return from Delhi.

The resignation follows a new controversy that emerged after the Supreme Court sought a sealed-cover forensic report on leaked audio clips allegedly involving Singh's role in the ethnic violence that has claimed 250 lives in the state since May 2023.

The audio tapes reportedly contained conversations suggesting that Singh allegedly allowed Meitei groups to loot arms and ammunition from the state government during the unrest.

In his resignation letter, Singh expressed gratitude to the central government, "It has been an honour to serve the people of Manipur thus far. I am extremely grateful to the central government for time actions, interventions, developmental work and implementation of various projects for safeguarding the interests of every single Manipuri."