Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, facing mounting pressure from opposition parties demanding his resignation over his handling of the ongoing ethnic violence in the state, declared on Friday that he will not step down “at this crucial juncture.” The announcement came shortly after he was blocked by his supporters from meeting the governor at Raj Bhavan.
In a tweet addressing the situation, Chief Minister Singh asserted, “At this crucial juncture, I wish to clarify that I will not be resigning from the post of Chief Minister.”
Tensions escalated in Imphal as the Chief Minister’s supporters swarmed his residence to show their unwavering support, urging him not to resign. Demonstrators, mostly youth wearing black shirts, along with women, sat in front of the CM’s residence, vowing to stand by him during the tumultuous period. They claimed that Singh was working tirelessly for the welfare of the people and should continue to lead the state.
“We do not want the CM to resign; he should not resign. He is doing a lot of work for us. We are here to support him,” expressed a local to news agency ANI.
Further adding to the drama, Singh’s supporters also gathered outside Raj Bhavan, pleading with him not to step down from his position. Social media videos surfaced, depicting the crowd blocking the Chief Minister’s convoy, preventing him from reaching Raj Bhavan to submit his resignation.
The state of Manipur has been grappling with a wave of violence for nearly two months, primarily involving clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities in the northeastern region. The ongoing conflict has resulted in hundreds of fatalities and thousands of people being displaced, causing immense turmoil and concern among the citizens.
Despite the mounting criticism over his handling of the crisis, Chief Minister Singh remains steadfast, highlighting his commitment to resolve the conflict in a democratic manner. Supporters expressed their trust in him, lauding his leadership during these challenging times.
“We have been under a situation of turmoil for two months. We are hopeful that the Government of India and Manipur will find a resolution to this conflict in a democratic manner. In such circumstances, if the Manipur CM resigns, it will be difficult for the people to sustain. We trust him, and we do not want him to resign,” stated an ardent supporter to ANI.
As the situation unfolds, the state government faces a daunting challenge in restoring peace and harmony in Manipur. The demand for the Chief Minister’s resignation adds to the complexity of the situation, with the opposition parties maintaining their stance.
With Chief Minister Singh firmly refusing to step down, the future remains uncertain, and the state’s citizens hope for a peaceful resolution to the ethnic violence that has gripped the region. All eyes are now on the government to address the crisis in a timely and effective manner to ensure the safety and well-being of the people of Manipur.
Sources By Agencies