Manipur Congress chief moves HC seeking dissolution of Assembly, challenges Governor’s actions

Guwahati: Manipur Pradesh Congress President K Meghachandra moved the High Court against what he called the “unconstitutional acts of the Governor under Article 174(1)” and demanded dissolution of the remainder of the 12th Legislative Assembly under Article 174(2) of the Constitution.

Justice A Guneshwar Sharma of the Manipur High Court observed that the matter involves interpretation of Article 174 of the Constitution of India. The HC referred the matter to the Chief Justice for placing it before the appropriate Division Bench in view of the important issues involved in the present writ petition.

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On January 29, Meghachandra had approached the court through a writ petition. The petition challenged the actions of the Governor under Article 174 of the Indian Constitution. The court had ordered the registry to place the file before the Chief Justice on the administrative side for consideration of listing before an appropriate Division Bench. The court made it clear that it had not issued notice in the case.

While senior advocate N Bhupendra Meitei is appearing as counsel for the petitioner in this case, the Union of India and other respondents are represented by Kh Samarjit, Deputy Solicitor General of India, assisted by N Nongdamba. The Manipur government was represented by Advocate General Lenin Hijam, along with Deputy Government Advocate O Ratan Kumar.

Manipur has been under President’s Rule since February 13, 2025.

Over 260 people were killed, more than 1,500 injured, and over 60,000 people displaced after ethnic violence broke out between the Meitei and the Kuki-Zo people on May 3, 2023, when a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts to protest the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status.

Former chief minister N Biren Singh’s security rejig

Following N Biren Singh stepping down as chief minister last year, his security was scaled down. However, last week, his security arrangement was redone and more security personnel were added to his security apparatus.

Last year, Manipur Police scaled down the security assigned to Singh, and 17 police personnel in his security detail were detached from their duties. Following this, only six security personnel remained with the former CM. This team comprised three assistant sub-inspectors, one head constable, and two constables. He was, however, covered under the ‘Z’ category and continued to have four to six CAPF personnel with him.

A senior police official, who did not want to be named, said, “His security arrangement has been redone, with more security personnel being added. This was done in view of the threat perception. We have inputs that the threat against him has increased.”