Manipur CM Biren Singh Says Won't Resign After Outpouring Of Support Outside His Residence

Hundreds of women gathered outside CM Singh's home and formed a human chain to protest his resignation.

Supporters of Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh gathered in large numbers outside his residence on Friday and stopped him from meeting the Governor and tendering his resignation, PTI reported. After meeting with supporters, Singh tweeted: "At this crucial juncture, I wish to clarify that I will not be resigning from the post of Chief Minister."

Hundreds of women gathered at Nupi Lal Complex on Friday, around 100 yards from the Manipur Chief Minister's secretariat, to urge CM N Biren Singh not to quit in the aftermath of the violence that has ravaged the northeastern state for about two months. 

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, who has been under criticism for over two months for his handling of ethnic violence in the state, was on the verge of submitting his resignation today but changed his mind due to public pressure, according to a top minister. Biren Singh set off for the Governor's House but turned back following a massive outpouring of solidarity outside his Imphal bungalow, according to the minister, according to NDTV's report.

Unconfirmed reports said that the CM had typed out a resignation letter but was persuaded by his supporters to tear it up, PTI reported.

"We do not want the CM to resign, he should not resign. He is doing a lot of work for us. We are in giving support the CM," the local of Manipur said, ANI reported.

"We have been under a situation of turmoil since 2 months. We are looking for the day when the Govt of India and Manipur will resolve this conflict in a democratic manner. In such a situation if the Manipur CM resigns, how will the people live here? Who will lead us? He has been leading us from the beginning of the conflict. I do not want him to resign. We trust him" another local stated.

Kshetrimayum Shanti, a women leader said, “At this critical juncture, the Biren Singh government should stand firm and crack down on troublemakers,” PTI reported. 

Over 100 people have died as a result of continuing ethnic hostilities in Manipur between the Meitei and Kuki clans. The violence began on May 3 when a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill communities. 

Rahul Gandhi, the senior Congress leader, arrived in Moirang on Friday to meet with individuals impacted by ethnic conflicts in the northeastern state.  

Gandhi arrived at Moirang around 9.30 a.m. by helicopter from Imphal, where he visited with a number of afflicted people in two relief camps and heard to their predicament. Former Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh, party general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal, PCC president Keisham Meghachandra Singh, and former MP Ajay Kumar accompanied him. 

Taking to Instagram, Gandhi said: “It’s heartbreaking to see and listen to the plight of those who have lost loved ones and homes due to the violence in Manipur.”

“There is a cry for help in the face of every brother, sister and child I meet,” he added.  

“The most important thing Manipur needs now is Peace - to secure the lives and livelihoods of our people. All our efforts must unite towards that goal,” Gandhi said. 

On Thursday, the former Congress head paid a visit to relief shelters in Churachandpur, one of the towns most devastated by the ethnic riots. 

Following Gandhi's remarks, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that compassion is needed in Manipur rather than a political leader worsening existing differences. He called Gandhi's day-long visit to Manipur "mere media hype."