President’s Rule in Manipur has been extended for another six months, following a resolution moved by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the Lok Sabha. The extension will take effect from August 13, 2025.
The official notification stated: “That this House approves the continuance in force of the Proclamation dated the February 13, 2025 in respect of Manipur, issued under Article 356 of the Constitution by the President, for a further period of six months with effect from August 13, 2025.”
President’s Rule was imposed on February 13, shortly after Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned amid mounting pressure from BJP MLAs of the Meitei community, who opposed his leadership.
The current extension comes even as several Meitei and Naga MLAs from the ruling NDA are advocating for the restoration of an elected government. Under Article 356(3), President’s Rule is imposed via the Governor and can be extended every six months with Parliament’s approval, up to a maximum of three years.
Meanwhile, Manipur continues to grapple with the aftermath of the ethnic conflict that erupted on May 3, 2023, between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, resulting in over 250 deaths and the displacement of more than 60,000 people.
In a related development, security forces arrested eight militants from banned outfits during operations across Imphal West, Bishnupur, Tengnoupal, and Chandel districts on Thursday. Police stated that operations have been ongoing in fringe and vulnerable areas since the outbreak of violence.
The state assembly remains under suspended animation, although its tenure continues till 2027. Officials added that in 2022 and 2023, former CM Biren Singh launched eviction drives against encroachments on reserve forest and government lands, sparking widespread protests among Kuki and Zo communities.
Extension of President’s Rule undermines democracy, says Manipur Congress
The Congress on Friday strongly opposed the Centre’s move to extend President’s Rule in Manipur, calling it a blow to democratic values and an indication of the BJP’s governance failure.
The Centre is preparing to extend President’s Rule in the violence-hit state by another six months from August 13. A statutory resolution for the extension, introduced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, has already been admitted in the Rajya Sabha and will be taken up next week.
“It is not the people’s wish that the President’s Rule be extended for another six months. Extension of the President’s Rule will undermine the values of democracy and the spirit of federalism,” said Manipur Congress president Keisham Meghachandra, addressing the media.
He blamed the BJP-led “double-engine” government for the constitutional vacuum. “The extension will happen because there is no strong BJP leader in the state. It is the failure of the double-engine government,” he added. “President’s Rule is supposed to be temporary. Its continued extension due to internal law and order issues is unprecedented.”
President’s Rule was first imposed on February 13, 2025, after Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned. Since May 2023, over 260 people have been killed and thousands displaced in ethnic clashes. The Congress insists the state needs restored democratic governance, not prolonged central rule.
(With inputs from agencies)