The Indian government has brought the troubled north-eastern state of Manipur under direct federal rule days after Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned. Singh, from India's governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), quit on Sunday after facing months of pressure to step down.

India's federal government imposed direct rule in the restive northeastern state of Manipur, four days after Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh tendered his resignation, officials said Friday. The decision was announced Thursday evening through a notification from the federal home ministry that the president's rule in the state has been imposed under Article 356 of the Indian Constitution.

Thongam Biswajit Singh, Yumnam Khemchand Singh, Thokchom Satyabrata Singh, Thounaojam Basanta Kumar Singh and Govindas Konthoujam are the names that are doing the rounds for the chief minister's post in Manipur.

Manipur has come under President's rule, a move long demanded by the Congress, citing a breakdown of constitutional machinery. The political instability follows the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh amidst ongoing ethnic violence.

The Indian federal government took over direct control of the restive northeastern state of Manipur on Thursday after the region's chief minister resigned amid ethnic violence that has killed at least 250 people over two years and displaced thousands.

Ethnic violence between Meiteis, who make up slightly more than half of the population, and the minority Kuki community has killed more than 250 people and displaced about 60,000 since May 2023.