New Delhi, January 18, 2026: Union Home Minister Amit Shah met former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh at his residence in New Delhi late on Friday night, in what sources describe as a key discussion aimed at paving the way for the restoration of a government in the northeastern state, which has been under President’s Rule for nearly a year. While no official statement has been released by either the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), individuals familiar with the development said the talks centered on creating a “conducive environment” for governance in Manipur following prolonged political and ethnic instability.

According to these sources, Shah’s office had called Biren Singh for a meeting on Friday morning, with the discussions commencing post 10 pm and lasting for almost an hour. “The meeting focused on issues related to the formation of a government in Manipur, which is currently under President’s Rule. It was largely about laying the groundwork before the establishment of a state government, and the existing challenges were also discussed,” said a Manipur official who requested anonymity.

While the meeting did not set any timeline for selecting a new chief minister or restoring state governance, central leadership is reportedly keen on reinstating a popular government to replace President’s Rule, which has been in effect since February 13, 2025, following Biren Singh’s resignation. Observers note that the dialogue indicates the Centre’s priority to stabilize the state politically, especially after the ethnic unrest that has gripped Manipur for over two years.

This is the second significant engagement by Amit Shah on Manipur’s situation in the past fortnight. On January 2, the home minister conducted a security review of the state, joined by Governor Ajay Bhalla, security advisor Kuldiep Singh, the state’s chief secretary, and the police chief. The meeting focused on both public safety and the conditions necessary for a stable government.

Further consultations took place in mid-January. On January 14, MHA officials met representatives from Kuki-Zo civil society groups to solicit their perspectives on forming a government and to note any objections. The following day, the MHA held talks with leaders of insurgent groups operating under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) pact, an agreement with the Centre. The influential SoO groups reportedly advised the 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs to participate in forming the state government only if it committed to pursuing the creation of a separate Union territory encompassing hill districts primarily inhabited by the Kuki-Zo community.

Manipur has been plagued by ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities since May 2023. The clashes have resulted in at least 260 deaths and displaced around 60,000 people. Despite deploying thousands of security personnel, sporadic violence has continued, prompting the imposition of President’s Rule in February 2025. Since then, governance in the state has remained under direct control of the Centre.

Political signals over the past months have suggested that the BJP’s central leadership is actively working toward forming a state government. On December 14, 2025, meetings of all BJP MLAs — both Meitei and Kuki-Zo — were convened in New Delhi, chaired by BJP General Secretary B.L. Santosh. This marked the first unified session of the state’s BJP legislators since the imposition of President’s Rule, and has fueled speculation that efforts are underway to restore elected governance in Manipur.

The reluctance of the 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs to support former CM Biren Singh during the initial post-violence phase reflects the lingering mistrust and security concerns among ethnic groups in the state. Following the clashes in early May 2023, the Kuki-Zo MLAs refrained from visiting the Imphal valley, citing safety concerns, and distanced themselves from endorsing Biren Singh’s leadership. Over two years later, these apprehensions continue to influence the formation of a stable government.

The central government now faces the challenge of balancing competing interests: ensuring representation of both the Meitei-majority valley and the hill districts dominated by Kuki-Zo communities, addressing long-standing demands for autonomy or administrative restructuring, and maintaining law and order in a region with a history of insurgency and ethnic strife.

While no formal announcement has been made regarding Biren Singh’s potential return as chief minister, the recent meeting with Amit Shah indicates a strategic push by the BJP leadership to engage key stakeholders, including MLAs, civil society groups, and insurgent factions, to forge consensus. Officials believe that these preparatory steps are critical to avoid further unrest and to ensure a smooth transition from President’s Rule to an elected government.

The unfolding situation in Manipur underscores the complex interplay of politics, ethnicity, and security in the northeastern states of India. It also reflects the Centre’s approach of combining dialogue with local leaders and structured security oversight to create conditions conducive for governance restoration. Analysts suggest that the upcoming weeks will be crucial in determining whether a functional government can be formed that meets both administrative needs and the aspirations of diverse communities in the state.

With the anniversary of President’s Rule approaching on February 13, all eyes are on the developments in New Delhi and Imphal. The recent high-level engagement between Amit Shah and Biren Singh, coupled with ongoing consultations with Kuki-Zo representatives and insurgent groups, signals that the Centre is actively working toward ending direct rule while mitigating risks of renewed violence.

As Manipur continues to grapple with its ethnic and political complexities, the next phase will likely require careful negotiation and coordination among the Centre, state legislators, and community leaders to ensure both stability and inclusivity in governance. The success of these efforts will have implications not just for Manipur, but for broader strategies of conflict resolution and democratic governance in India’s northeastern region.