GUWAHATI: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh stepped down from the post on Sunday, February 9 ostensibly to avoid facing a no-confidence motion against his BJP government by the Opposition Congress during the assembly session, which was to begin on Monday, February 10, but which has now been called off. It was feared that even BJP MLAs would have supported the motion, which could have led to a big embarrassment for the party.
The state governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla has asked Singh to continue as caretaker chief minister until alternative arrangements are made while also calling off the assembly session soon after Singh and his council of ministers put in their papers.
Sunday’s development comes nearly two years after Manipur erupted in an ethnic conflagration that has left over 250 dead and thousands homeless.
Here's a timeline of some important events:
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April 20: The Manipur High Court directs the state government to consider the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, setting a deadline of May 19 for recommendations to the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry.
May 3: Tensions escalate with the All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) organising a "Tribal Solidarity March" to protest the Meitei's demand for ST status. The march leads to violent clashes between tribal and non-tribal groups, with widespread arson and vandalism.
May 4: Violence and widespread destruction ensue, prompting the state to impose curfews in eight districts and suspend mobile internet services. The army and Assam Rifles are deployed and large-scale evacuations occur.
May 5: In response to the escalating situation, the central government invokes Article 355 to take over the state's security apparatus. In Churachandpur district, clashes result in the deaths of five militants and injuries to two security personnel.
May 8: Chief Minister N. Biren Singh reports that 60 people have died, 231 have been injured, and over 1,700 houses—including religious places—have been destroyed in the violence.
June 4: The house of Congress MLA K. Ranjit is set on fire, along with several other abandoned houses in Kakching district.
June 14: The official residence of Nemcha Kipgen, the only female minister in the Manipur government, is attacked and burned down.
July 19: A video emerges showing two Kuki women being paraded naked, with one allegedly gang-raped by a mob, leading to nationwide outrage.
July 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemns the incident, calling it "shameful for any civil society." The Supreme Court takes notice, and the Manipur police arrest four individuals seen in the video.
August 7: The Kuki People's Alliance withdraws its support from the N. Biren Singh government, further escalating tensions in the state.
September 23: After months of suspension, the government orders the restoration of internet services across the state.
September 26: Photos of two missing Meitei students appear on social media, reigniting tensions and leading to the reimposition of internet restrictions.
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January 24: A meeting is convened at Kangla Fort, where the Meitei organiSation Arambai Tenggol calls upon all elected Meitei legislators to discuss the community's defense in light of the ongoing conflicts.
August 11: The rise of unregulated vigilante groups in Manipur pushes the state closer to the brink of a potential civil war.
December 20: Reports indicate that fighters from Myanmar's ongoing civil war have crossed into Manipur, further escalating the ethnic conflict in the region.
December 31: Chief Minister N. Biren Singh issues a public apology for the ethnic violence that has claimed over 250 lives and displaced thousands. He calls for unity and reconciliation, urging all communities to forgive past wrongs and work towards a peaceful future.
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February 9: Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and council of ministers have resigned.