Vision Foundation Manipur raises concerns over effectiveness of President’s Rule

Vision Foundation Manipur, a civil society organisation based in Khurai, Imphal East, had initially welcomed the proclamation of President’s Rule in the state, seeing it as an opportunity to restore peace and administrative accountability. The organisation had expected direct rule by the President of India to address governance failures and long-standing public grievances left unattended by the previous government.
However, the Foundation has now expressed skepticism, noting that the hoped-for corrective measures have largely failed to materialise. It criticised the decision to proceed with the annual Sangai Festival while many internally displaced persons (IDPs) continue to suffer. The organisation said diverting funds and resources to a tourism event instead of providing relief and livelihood support to affected families was both morally and politically insensitive. It suggested that postponing the festival until at least January 2026 would have demonstrated solidarity with affected communities and avoided the perception that the administration prioritises image-building over humanitarian needs.
Questioning reported expenditures of around Rs.15 crore on festival programmes and incentives, the Foundation highlighted the strain on taxpayers and urged the administration to focus on transparent utilisation of funds for relief, rehabilitation, and essential services.
The organisation also called for rights-based treatment of IDPs, meaningful consultation with affected communities, and safeguards during security operations. It raised concerns over a sharp 200 per cent increase in dengue cases and urged prioritisation of public health infrastructure, surveillance, and preventive measures.
Vision Foundation appealed to the President of India and the Governor of Manipur to ensure that President’s Rule is used effectively for corrective action, underlining that peace, justice for IDPs, improved socio-economic conditions, and disease control should remain key measures of success.