Article 355 of the Indian Constitution empowers Centre to take any necessary step to deal with "external aggression and internal disturbance"
The chief minister of violence-hit Manipur, Biren Singh, confirmed on Monday that the state has been under Article 355 since the ethnic clashes broke out in May last year. This announcement drew Opoosition's flak, with leaders at an all-party meeting criticising the Union and the state government for not revealing this to the public sooner
Article 355 of the Indian Constitution empowers Centre to take any necessary step to deal with "external aggression and internal disturbance".
"It shall be the duty of the Union to protect every State against external aggression and internal disturbance and to ensure that the Government of every State is carried on in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution," as per the Indian Constitution.
In May last year, two public officials from the state – an elected MLA and state police chief – had hinted that Article 355 had been imposed in Manipur. However, no formal order had been issued by the Union government to impose or invoke the constitutional provision.
Since then, rumour mills have been abuzz over Article 355, which is considered a step away from President's Rule (Article 356) that grants full control to the President of state machinery.
While the secrecy over Article 355 drew opposition's criticism, CM N Biren Singh said on Monday it reflects the insincerity of both the Centre and the state government.”
Amid this, a team of the Ministry of Home Affairs is said to have reached Manipur on Monday to hold talks with representatives of Meiti and Kuki communities in a bid to restore peace.
A delegation of senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) arrived in Imphal on Monday (January 22) to hold discussions aimed at restoring peace and normalcy in Manipur.
The officials will hold consultations with the state government, community leaders, and other stakeholders to compile a comprehensive list of demands that have been put forth by each side.
Manipur has been severely hit by ethnic violence that has been going on since May last year and has killed around 200 people so far.
The violence erupted on May 3 after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. At the same time, tribals, which include Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40 per cent and reside mostly in the hill districts.