Since the imposition of President's rule in Manipur in February 2025, officials report a significant drop in violence and a notable increase in drug seizures. This shift indicates a potential stabilization of the region, though challenges remain.
One of the most notable changes has been the decline in violence. From February 13 to June 26, 2025, there were no reported incidents of arson or vandalism, a stark contrast to the over 17,000 such incidents recorded before President's rule was implemented. Protest-related fatalities have also decreased significantly, with only one reported death during the central rule, compared to the 260 fatalities between May 3, 2023, and February 13, 2025. Injuries have also seen a substantial reduction, with just 29 new cases in the last four months, compared to 1,776 since May 2023.
In the fight against drug abuse, Manipur Police, Assam Rifles, and other paramilitary forces have intensified their operations. This has led to the arrest of 84 individuals under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act during the period of central rule. Security forces have seized substantial quantities of drugs, including 24.4 kg of heroin, 25.7 kg of brown sugar, 31.8 kg of opium, and over 379 kg of 'Ganja'. In a separate incident, a joint operation by the DRI, Customs, Assam Rifles, and Manipur Police resulted in the seizure of drugs and cash worth ₹55.52 crore. These seizures indicate a concerted effort to disrupt the drug trade in the region. The Indo-Myanmar border region is a known hub for drug trafficking due to its proximity to the Golden Triangle.
Despite the progress, significant challenges persist. The recovery of looted firearms remains a primary concern for security agencies. While no new arms have been reported lost from police armouries since the imposition of central rule, many of the initial 6,020 firearms lost are yet to be recovered. However, there has been progress in this area, with 2,390 weapons seized in the last four months alone, many of which were looted weapons. Addressing the activities of banned valley-based terrorist groups involved in extortion and petty crimes is another ongoing challenge. The recent arrest of Asem Kanan Singh, a prominent leader of the Meitei outfit Arambai Tenggol, along with four associates, is a step in the right direction. Singh was wanted in connection with several cases, including an alleged attack on an Additional Superintendent of Police. Following his arrest, Arambai Tenggol announced that it would distance itself from violent activities.
The Parliament has adopted a Statutory Resolution confirming the imposition of President's Rule in Manipur. Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that there had been no violence reported in Manipur since November of last year. He attributed the initial ethnic violence to a High Court order and said that the central government had taken immediate steps to address the situation.
