Biren changes mind under public pressure
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 30 2023: In the face of the strong and persistent pressure exerted by the Central Government against the State's failure to control the violence raging through the State for almost two months, Chief Minister N Biren today decided to go to the Raj Bhavan to tender his resignation to the Governor.

The Sangai Express had carried the report on June 29 .

As N Biren came out from the Chief Minister's bungalow to submit his resignation letter, he was blocked by a large number of people including Meira Paibis.

Maintaining that N Biren must not step down, some of the Meira Paibis snatched the resignation letter and tore it.

The Government of India reportedly reprimanded Chief Minister N Biren with strong words yesterday for the State Government's failure to control the violence.

Biren changes mind under public pressure

Subsequently, N Biren decided to step down from the post of Chief Minister and headed to the Raj Bhavan this afternoon to submit his resignation to the Raj Bhavan.

On receiving reports that N Biren would be submitting his resignation today, a large number of people including women vendors of Khwairamband Ima Keithel, Meira Paibis from different parts of the State, members of different organisations and clubs gathered on the road extending from the Raj Bhavan to the Chief Minister's bungalow since around 10 am.

Even before N Biren came out, they shouted slogans opposing his decision to step down and blocked the road.

Other slogans shouted by the huge crowd included "Save Manipur", "Long Live Manipur", "Territorial integrity of Manipur is non-negotiable", "CM N Biren must not resign", "Restore peace in Manipur immediately", "We stand for Chief Minister N Biren", "Don't impose President's Rule in Manipur" etc.

Following strong words from the Centre on the current situation, N Biren held a meeting with many Ministers and MLAs of his Government late last night.

The meeting continued this morning too and deliberated on N Biren's decision to step down.

Saying that it would not be right for him to hold the post of Chief Minister any longer in the face of the protracted violent crisis, Biren informed the MLAs and Ministers that he had decided to submit his resignation to the Governor.

The MLAs and Ministers asked N Biren to reconsider his decision, sources informed.

N Biren sought an appointment with Governor Anusuiya Uikey at 1 pm today so as to submit his re- signation letter.

But the appointment was deferred to 3 pm.

Together with Rajya Sabha Member Leishemba Sanajaoba, Speaker Th Satyabrata, Ministers Govindas Konthoujam, L Susindro, Dr Sapam Ranjan, H Dingo, K Leishiyo, Th Basantakumar, MLAs K Robindro, Sapam Kunjakishore, Lourembam Rameshwor, Mayanglambam Rameshwar, RK Imo, Th Shyamkumar, Kh Ibomcha, Thongam Shanti and Khuraijam Loken, N Biren headed for the Raj Bhavan at around 2.10 pm.

Soon after the CM's convoy emerged from the Chief Minister's bungalow, a large number of people gathered in front of the General Post Office and the Nupi Lan complex rushed to the CM's vehicle.

Even as police tried to control the crowd, the crowd overcame the police barricade and sat down on the road in front of the CM's convoy.

N Biren got down from his vehicle and went inside his bungalow.

The crowd went to the gate and shouted opposing Biren's decision to step down.

Soon after, leaders of some women organisations including L Memchoubi of Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur and Leirik Leima of Kanglamei went inside the bungalow and talked with Biren.

Saying that they will die in his place, if necessary, the women leaders urged Biren to save Manipur and not to step down from the post of Chief Minister.

Some time later, Govindas Konthoujam and L Susindro came out from the CM bungalow and announced that N Biren would not step down.

L Susindro also brought out N Biren's resignation letter and handed it over to some women leaders who promptly tore it.

Khwairamband Nupi Keithel Shinpham and Shaktam Kanba Lup secretary Rani said that it is neither advisable nor desirable for N Biren to step down given the State's critical situation.

Saying that the announcement to shut down the women markets of Khwairamband for five days was made without consent of the women vendors, Rani appealed to all the vendors to come and open their businesses as usual.