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.

The imposition of President's Rule reflects a failure of political dialogue and a disregard for the aspirations of the people of Manipur. Like many states in India's Northeast, Manipur has a long history of marginalisation and discontent.

India's federal government imposed direct rule in the restive northeastern state of Manipur, four days after Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh tendered his resignation, officials said Friday. The decision was announced Thursday evening through a notification from the federal home ministry that the president's rule in the state has been imposed under Article 356 of the Indian Constitution.

The chief minister of India's northeastern state of Manipur resigned on Sunday, bowing to pressure to quit amid ongoing ethnic clashes that have cost at least 250 lives since they broke out nearly two years ago.

The Centre imposed President's rule in Manipur following CM N Biren Singh's resignation and unsuccessful attempts to form an alternative government. The assembly remains in suspended animation, with Governor Ajay Bhalla overseeing the state,

Ethnic violence between Meiteis, who make up slightly more than half of the population, and the minority Kuki community has killed more than 250 people and displaced about 60,000 since May 2023.

The Manipur assembly was put under suspended animation, which means that the House has not been dissolved, and its members will continue to be MLAs

President Droupadi Murmu has imposed President's Rule in Manipur after receiving a report from the state Governor.The decision, exercised under Article 356 of the Constitution, means that the state's administrative functions will now be directly controlled by the President through the Governor.