New Delhi: On Wednesday, July 30, 2025, the Lok Sabha approved a resolution to extend President’s Rule in Manipur for another six months beyond August 13. The Union government justified the move by claiming that the security situation in the violence-hit northeastern state is steadily improving and that conditions are gradually stabilising.However, the decision has sparked criticism from local leaders, including members of the Manipur Legislative Assembly and representatives of the Kuki community, who say they were not consulted by the Centre, either before or during the current period of President’s Rule.Speaking to The Wire, BJP MLA Paolienlal Haokip confirmed that he has not been contacted by the central leadership of his own party since President’s Rule was first imposed on February 13. While acknowledging that simply appointing a new chief minister would not resolve the ongoing crisis, he questioned the lack of political outreach.“I’d say the Centre has finally got it right, albeit a tad too late. Formation of another government at this stage seems futile until a political settlement is reached. The change of Chief Minister doesn’t change the issues we’re facing. Without a settlement brokered by the Centre, I wouldn’t accept even if the Chief Minister position were to be offered to me because it’s not going to work, forget about supporting a government at this juncture,” Haokip said.The BJP-led coalition currently holds 44 of the 60 seats in the Manipur Legislative Assembly, with 37 MLAs from the BJP alone. However, the party appears to be steadily losing the support of its own legislators, primarily due to its failure to control the violence under the leadership of former chief minister N. Biren Singh. All 10 Kuki MLAs, including seven from the BJP, have repeatedly expressed disappointment with their own government, but the Union government has continued to ignore their concerns.A source from the ruling party also confirmed to The Wire that a delegation of BJP MLAs visited Delhi with a demand for a popular government in the state, but they were sent back without any confirmation.Meanwhile, Manipur Congress president K. Meghachandra also condemned the extension, calling it a “direct assault on democratic values.” Speaking to The Wire, he accused the BJP of using President’s Rule to bypass the democratic will of the people and delay the return of a popular government.“Manipur needs accountable leadership, not bureaucratic rule from Delhi,” he said, adding that the BJP’s leadership has shown no seriousness in initiating peace or dialogue between communities.Meghachandra also criticised the government’s recently announced resettlement plan for internally displaced persons (IDPs), calling it a “mockery” that lacks a clear roadmap.“After two years, they are shifting people from relief camps to prefabricated houses, not to their original homes,” he said.The Wire has visited relief camps in both the valley and hill regions, where displaced families continue to survive in dire conditions lacking proper food, clothing, education, sanitation and direct government support. Most camps are currently being managed by civil society organisations, not state or central authorities.Delhi Declares Peace, Manipur DisagreesDefending the extension of President’s Rule, minister of state for home affairs Nityanand Rai said: “What can be a bigger proof of peace than the fact that since President’s Rule was imposed, there has been only one fatality and no casualties in the last four months?”Yet, ground reports contradict this assertion. On the very day President’s Rule was imposed, Union home minister Amit Shah announced a “free movement” policy intended to allow both Kuki and Meitei communities to travel freely across regions. However, violence erupted on the first day, resulting in one death. Many Kukis living in the hills remain unable to return to Imphal, where their homes have been forcibly occupied by members of the armed Meitei group, Arambai Tenggol.The Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU), which oversees administration and relief efforts in Kuki-dominated areas of Kangpokpi district, expressed deep disappointment with the Union government’s handling of the crisis. The organisation has once again called for complete separation from the Imphal Valley.COTU leader Lamminlun Singsit told The Wire: “Since time immemorial, the Valley and Hills have had conflicts over separate administrations, but due to a lack of sustainability, it ended without any solution. This unending and unresolved issue repeated itself on May 3, 2023, resulting in the loss of life and property. This time, bulldozing peace from the Union government will not stop the public movement unless there is total separation from the majoritarian Meitei community (Valley) with a separate administration.”COTU is currently handling essential services such as healthcare and education for the displaced Kuki population in Kangpokpi. Singsit noted that when state and central security forces failed to protect Kuki families in the Imphal Valley, they had to be relocated to Kangpokpi.Singsit also confirmed a complete lack of communication from the Centre following the imposition of President’s Rule.“May 28, 2023, and October 12, 2024 these were the only two days when the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) contacted us,” he said. “The MHA only appeals for peace without resolving the underlying problems. After President’s Rule, the MHA has contacted only the SoO (Suspension of Operations) groups for meetings.”So far, more than 270 people have died in Manipur due to the ongoing violence between the Kuki and Meitei communities. Over 60,000 people remain displaced, despite repeated promises by the governments to resettle them in their villages.