NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The Indian federal government took over direct control of the restive northeastern state of Manipur on Thursday after the region's chief minister resigned amid ethnic violence that has killed at least 250 people over two years and displaced thousands.

President's rule was imposed in Manipur on Thursday, with the state assembly put under suspended animation following the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh. The decision came after months of ethnic violence that claimed over 250 lives.

The President's rule was imposed in Manipur as the ruling BJP was unable to appoint a chief minister after N Biren Singh's resignation on Sunday.

Manipur faces President's Rule amid prolonged ethnic violence, political instability, and lack of a consensus candidate following Chief Minister N Biren Singh's resignation. BJP ministers and MLAs are currently in discussions in New Delhi as multiple parties withdraw support or demand leadership changes.

President’s rule has been imposed in Manipur, the ethnic violence-hit northeastern state of India. The development comes three days after the resignation of N Biren Singh as the state’s chief minister. According to reports, the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) failed to build a consensus on Biren Singh’s successor.

N Biren Singh resigned on February 9, after meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president J P Nadda.

The Centre on Thursday (February 13, 2025) announced that President’s rule has been implemented in Manipur, four days after CM N. Biren Singh’s resignation on Sunday (February 9, 2025). A Union Home Ministry notification said that the Manipur Assembly has been put under suspended animation.