Peace orders

• The Bharatiya Janata Party’s inability to find a successor to N. Biren Singh and the Assembly’s suspension of its last sitting have led to President’s Rule in Manipur.

• The Union Home Ministry has been in control of law and order since mid-2023, despite the ethnic conflagration that began in May 2023.

• The rule provides an opportunity for the Union government to ease tensions and address pressing issues like the displacement of over 60,000 people.

• The rule also allows for talks between representatives of the two conflicting communities, with legislators playing a role in reconciliation.

• The militarisation of civil society, with the emergence of armed groups and the expanded role of insurgents, complicates the situation.

• The government, armed forces, and civil society actors must work together to identify and disarm these “village volunteers” and tackle the insurgents.

• The Biren Singh regime’s perceived bias and Mr. Singh’s stigmatization of the Kuki-Zo community have hindered this process.

• The Home Ministry should work on a war-footing to restore peace and extinguish fear and reprehension from violent groups before elections.