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NEW DELHI: High drama ensued in Manipur on Friday after thousands of protesters blocked Manipur chief minister Biren N Singh’s convoy while he was on his way to governor’s house in Imphal to submit his resignation.
Biren Singh had reportedly typed out a resignation letter but was persuaded by his supporters to tear it up.
The chief minister has come under repeated attack from the opposition, particularly the Congress, over the law and order situation in the state. Manipur has witnessed ethnic violence for nearly two months. Congress and some groups in the state have demanded Biren Singh’s resignation.
Here’s how things unfolded:
Biren Singh had reportedly typed out a resignation letter but was persuaded by his supporters to tear it up.
The chief minister has come under repeated attack from the opposition, particularly the Congress, over the law and order situation in the state. Manipur has witnessed ethnic violence for nearly two months. Congress and some groups in the state have demanded Biren Singh’s resignation.
Here’s how things unfolded:
- Earlier in the afternoon, hundreds of youth wearing black shirts and women sat down in front of the CM’s residence demanding that Biren Singh should not resign.
- It was being speculated the chief minister was contemplating resigning from the post after fresh violence erupted in the state on Thursday claiming three more lives.
- “We are protesting to stop CM N Biren Singh from resigning. He is highlighting our issues, which we appreciate. He is working not only for Manipur but for the whole nation,” a woman supporter of Manipur CM N Biren Singh said.
- Soon after a torn resignation letter emerged, Biren Singh clarified on
Twitter that he will not be resigning. “At this crucial juncture, wish to clarify, will not be resigning from CM post,” the Manipur chief minister tweeted. - Meanwhile, the state government has extended the suspension of internet services for the 12th time till July 5, to curb the spread of rumours and videos, photos, and messages, which might deteriorate the law and order situation.
- Schools in Manipur will also remain closed till July 8.
- Manipur Police on Thursday had said the situation is tense in some places with sporadic incidents of firing in the past 24 hours but normal in most districts. “Situation is tense in some places with sporadic incidents of firing during the last 24 hours but normal in most districts. State Police and Central Forces are continuously conducting patrolling, flag marches and cordon and search operations in vulnerable areas both in the hill and valley districts,” an official statement said.
- Congress leader Rahul Gandhi appealed to all sections of society for peace in Manipur “as violence is no solution”, after meeting Governor Anusuiya Uikey here on Friday. “Peace is the way forward and everybody should now talk about peace and start moving towards it. I am here and will help in any way I can to bring peace to this state,” Gandhi told reporters outside the Raj Bhavan.
- “I share the pain of the people of Manipur. It is a horrible tragedy. It is extremely sad and painful for all the people of Manipur and the people of India as well,” he said.
(With agency inputs)
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