IMPHAL, May 1: In a significant political development, a group of 21 legislators from Manipur have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging the immediate restoration of an elected government in the state, which has been under President’s Rule since February 13, 2025.
The memorandum, submitted on Tuesday and received by the Ministry of Home Affairs on April 29, was made public on Wednesday, April 30. It was spearheaded by BJP MLA Lourembam Rameshwar Meitei, who represents the Keirao Assembly Constituency. The appeal comes amid growing public frustration over the prolonged political vacuum and lack of visible progress in restoring peace and governance in the violence-hit state.
Among the signatories are 14 MLAs from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), three from the National People’s Party (NPP), two from the Naga People’s Front (NPF), and two independents. Ten legislators from the Kuki-Zo community have also endorsed the memorandum, indicating a rare moment of cross-community consensus in a deeply divided state.
Prominent MLAs who signed the letter include Paonam Brojen (Wangjing Tentha), Kh. Raghumani Singh (Uripok), T. Robindro Singh (Thanga), Y. Radheshyam Singh (Hiyanglam), and Md. Achab Uddin (Jiribam, formerly with JD(U)). NPP MLA Janghemlung Panmei, representing Tamenglong, also backed the appeal.
Manipur has been under President’s Rule since February 13 after Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned amidst intensifying internal dissent within the BJP and mounting criticism of his handling of the Meitei-Kuki ethnic conflict. The conflict, ongoing since May 2023, has led to over 250 deaths and displaced thousands, causing severe humanitarian and political fallout. The state assembly remains under suspended animation.
In their memorandum, the legislators acknowledged that President’s Rule was initially welcomed with hope by the people of Manipur. However, they expressed disappointment with the lack of tangible efforts to restore peace and normalcy in the state.
“The people of Manipur welcomed the President’s Rule imposed on 13th February 2025, with hope and expectations. However, nearly three months later, no visible actions to restore peace and normalcy have been seen,” the letter stated.
They emphasized that a democratically elected government is the only viable path toward resolving Manipur’s complex political and ethnic issues. “A popular government is the only means to bring peace and normalcy in Manipur,” the legislators asserted.
The memorandum concludes with an appeal to the Centre to take immediate steps to facilitate the formation of a “popular government” that can effectively address the state’s pressing challenges.
