The Lok Sabha early Thursday adopted a Statutory Resolution to confirm the imposition of President’s rule in Manipur, with the Opposition supporting the decision but slamming the Centre for the situation in the northeastern state.

Replying during a short debate, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the government had taken all possible steps to restore normalcy in the restive state.

He said there has been no violence in Manipur in the last four months, adding that talks were on with both Meitei and Kuki communities for a peaceful solution. “By and large, the situation is peaceful. As long as people are in camps, I would not say the situation is satisfactory. The Union government is taking all possible steps to restore peace in Manipur,” he said.

The Home Minister said the ethnic violence in Manipur had started following an order of the state’s High Court. “The day the order came, we sent the Central forces by air. There was no delay on our part (in taking action),” he said.

He said, so far, 260 people had died in the violence that started in May 2023, of which 80 per cent lost their lives within the first month. Shah said he did not want to compare the violence during the tenure of the previous governments but wanted to tell the House about the clashes between the Naga and Kuki communities that took place in the 1990s over five years.

“Sporadic violence continued for a decade, wherein 750 people lost their lives. There were Kuki-Paite clashes in 1997-98 when 352 people were killed. In the Meitei-Pangal clashes in the 1990s, over 100 people died. Neither had the then prime minister nor the then home minister visited Manipur,” he said.

The Home Minister said an impression has been given that violence erupted only during the BJP rule, which is not correct.

Earlier, participating in the debate, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said his party supported the resolution but wanted the restoration of peace and stability in the state. “End insurgency, restore peace and stability, promote dialogue with each other, promote inclusivity,” he said.

Sayani Ghosh of the Trinamool Congress said her party too supports the resolution but favours early restoration of peace. DMK’s K Kanimozhi said “divisive” politics should come to an end in Manipur. “We want normalcy to return; peace and harmony should be restored. We also want the formation of an elected government,” she said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant expressed concern over the prevailing situation in Manipur and said peace must be restored. NCP (SCP) member Supriya Sule said the President’s Rule is not good for democracy and sought “strong intervention” of the home minister in bringing back normalcy. The resolution ‘Consideration on the Proclamation issued by the President on the 13th February 2025 under Article 356 (1) of the Constitution in relation to the State of Manipur’ was adopted by the House by a voice vote.        The violence in the state started after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised against the High Court order.