Manipur: Kapil Sibal claims only way to move forward is to remove CM, establish President's rule

New Delhi: Kapil Sibal, a Rajya Sabha MP, stated on Saturday that the best way to move forward in Manipur is to remove Chief Minister N Biren Singh and impose President's rule. Since ethnic violence erupted in the state on May 3 as a result of a "Tribal Solidarity March" held in the hill areas to oppose the Meitei community's desire for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, more than 160 people have died and numerous others have been injured.

In a tweet, Sibal said, "The only way forward: Sack Biren Singh; Impose Art. 356; Apologise to the women of our country."

"Nothing has changed since Nirbhaya: Unnao, Hatharas, Kathua, Bilkis (convicts release). Beti bachao PM ji!" Sibal said.

According to Article 356, President's rule can be imposed in a state if a situation has arisen in which the government of the state cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.

Tension further mounted in Manipur on Wednesday after a May 4 video surfaced online showing two women from one of the warring communities being paraded naked by a group of men from the other side.

Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley, while tribals, which include Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40 per cent and reside mostly in the hill districts.

Sibal, who was a Union minister during the UPA-1 and UPA-2 governments, quit the Congress in May last year and was elected to the Rajya Sabha as an Independent member with the Samajwadi Party's support.

He recently floated the non-electoral platform 'Insaaf', aimed at fighting injustice.

With PTI inputs