The BJP struggled to find a successor for Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, and with no Assembly session for six months, President’s Rule was declared, leaving the Assembly in suspended animation.
Since May 2023, ethnic strife has continued, despite the deployment of central forces and the Union Home Ministry controlling law and order.
With President’s Rule, the Union government has a chance to ease tensions, address the displacement of over 60,000 people, and support reconciliation talks between communities.
Armed groups, called “village volunteers,” have emerged, and attempts to disarm them have been unsuccessful. The conflict has also involved insurgents.
The government, armed forces, and civil society need to work together to disarm these groups, address insurgents, and restore peace.
Biren Singh’s leadership was seen as biased, particularly against the Kuki-Zo community, leading to distrust.
The government needs to rebuild trust to restore peace.
While elections are needed due to ethnic divisions, restoring peace and law and order should be prioritized first.
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