Manipur is the second-largest among the eight Northeast sister states of India. It shares its border with Nagaland, Mizoram and Assam to the north-south and west, respectively. Myanmar is to its south and east. Imphal is its capital city, while Imphal west is the largest city. The State Government of Manipur is the governing authority of the state. It consists of the executive, judiciary, and legislative branches. The constitutional head of the state is the governor of Manipur. Manipur consists of 16 districts. Imphal, being the capital city, is the seat of the government, where the Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) and the secretariat are situated. The Legislative Assembly comprises 60 elected members and is headed by the Chief Minister.

Background

Manipur was the last of the princely states to be incorporated into British India in 1891. From 1917 through to 1939 the people of the state urged the princely ruler to adopt democracy in the state. In the late 1930s the state chose to continue to be a part of British India, rather than Burma (current day Myanmar). On August 11, 1947 the king of the princely state, Maharaja Budhachandra signed an instrument of assertion for joining India. On 21 September, 1949, Manipur joined India along with nine other Part C states. Manipur attained full statehood on January 21, 1972. The state has since witnessed various incidents of insurgency and armed opposition. From 1980 through 2004, the Centre categorised the state as a “disturbed area” which allowed for the imposition of the highly controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act to deal with the insurgency in the state.

Security and insurgency

The conflict between Indian security forces and insurgent armed groups extends beyond creating violence in the state. Violent clashes are common between the inhabitant’s tribal groups of the state. There are several insurgent groups among them, with UNLF, PLA, PREPAK, MLAF, and UKLF being the major ones. 

Many insurgent groups want independence from India whereas the Kuki insurgent groups want a separate state for them which has to be carved out from the present state of Manipur. 

Executive 

  • The head of the state is the governor of Manipur, selected by the president of India based on advice from the central government. 
  • The chief minister is the head of the state government, and heads the executive and legislature.
  • The state consists of 16 districts and has 60 members elected democratically and led by the chief minister in The Vidhan Sabha.
  • The Vidhan Sabha holds all executive and legislative power in the state, though the governor approves all official work apart from law and order responsibilities.
  • As of March 2022, the chief minister of the state is Nongthombam Biren Singh.
  • The Governor of Manipur is La Ganesan, who assumed office on August 27, 2021.
  • Yumnam Joykumar Singh is the current deputy Chief Minister of Manipur.
  • Like the other states, this state has also been permitted a greater degree of state hierarchical autonomy. 

Legislature

  • Presently in the state, the legislation type of house consists of only one assembly and voted as one. 
  • The Legislative Assembly consists of 60 elected members from 16 districts for five years tenure. 
  • Each government has a tenure of 5 years, unless it is dissolved sooner. 
  • Among the 60 elected members, 19 are from scheduled tribes and one is from scheduled caste. 
  • Apart from this, the state sends two representatives to the Lok sabha of the parliament of India and one representative to the Rajya sabha. 
  • This state has an autonomous council working system and it has one autonomous council.
  • The name of this assembly is Manipur Legislative Assembly.
  • The speaker of this assembly is Yumnam Khemchand Singh.
  • Currently, the deputy speaker of the state is Kongkham Robindro.

Judicial and district administration

For judicial activities, the High Court of Manipur exercises the jurisdictions and powers for the cases arising in the state of Manipur. Presently, the Chief Justice of the High Court is Justice P.V. Sanjay Kumar. 

For district administration purposes every district is assigned a deputy commissioner along with an additional deputy commissioner for each subdivision of 16 districts.

Conclusion

Manipur is one sister of the seven sisters situated in the northeastern region of India. It has 16 districts represented by 60 members at the legislative assembly of the state. The judicial powers in the state are held by the High Court of Manipur. As of March 2022, the Assembly comprises various ministers from various political parties. The Chief Minister is from the Bharatiya Janata Party, whereas the Deputy Chief Minister is from the National People’s Party. Various other offices are held by elected members from the Indian National Congress, Lok Janshakti Party, and Naga People’s Front.