Manipur: Amid High Drama, Biren Singh Decides Not to Resign From CM's Post

IMPHAL: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Friday stated that he is not about to give up the post of Manipur’s CM.

The Manipur CM tweeted that he would not be resigning taking into account the continuing ethnic violence in the strife-torn state.

Taking to his Twitter handle, Biren Singh wrote, "At this crucial juncture, I wish to clarify that I will not be resigning from the post of Chief Minister.”

Since morning on Friday, there were reports that strong rumours were making the rounds in state capital Imphal that the chief minister was considering relinquishing the post of chief minister after fresh violence in the state on Thursday claimed the lives of three more people and left 5 others injured.

There were unconfirmed reports which said that the CM had written a resignation letter but was later convinced by his supporters to shred it up. He also received a shot in the arm earlier in the afternoon, when hundreds of youth sporting black shirts accompanied by women activists squatted in front of the CM’s residence in Imphal, with the demand that Biren Singh should not quit.

This development comes on the heels of a high drama taking place in Imphal, when thousands of his supporters blocked the Manipur Chief Minister’s convoy from proceeding towards Raj Bhavan. However, it was only after women leaders came out of his residence and informed the crowd about the CM’s assurance to them that he is not quitting, that the mob gradually left from his residence.

A women activist leader Kshetrimayum Shanti said, “At this crucial time, the Biren Singh government should stay strong and crack down on troublemakers.”

Meanwhile, the toll from the exchange of gunfire between security forces and suspected rioters, a day before in Kangpokpi district, rose to three on Friday, as one more person succumbed to his injuries in hospital, officials said.

On Thursday, armed rioters had allegedly started the unprovoked firing at security forces in Haraothel village. Army sources said that security forces personnel “responded in a measured manner” to contain the situation, they said.

It was also informed by the officials that, following the incident on Thursday, members of the community from which two of the rioters hailed, collected their bodies and took out a march to the CM’s residence.

Led by women, the protesters reportedly even challenged police to arrest them. They were also seen burning rubber tyres in the middle of the road to block the movement of police personnel, the officials said.

The marchers turned violent when the security personnel tried to stop them from marching to CM Singh’s residence, forcing the police force to lob tear gas shells at them and resort to a baton charge to scatter the mob.

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