IMPHAL: After a spate of renewed violence in the state of Manipur that has been on the boil for several weeks the attempts to step down by Manipur Chief Minister Biren N Singh had to be aborted as supporters plead not to resign and finally one of them tearing his resignation letter. 

Since early morning there were speculations that the chief minister had decided to resign from his post and accordingly his resignation letter addressed to the state Governor Anusuiya Uikey had been typed out and after a meeting with some of his members of the legislative assembly (MLAs) he was to head to meet the Governor.  

Meanwhile, hundreds of Biren's supporters mostly led by women activists began gathering outside his residence here in Imphal expressing their support and pleading that the CM must not resign at this critical juncture.

Latter as Biren came out and tried to make his way out of his residence to meet the Governor, the crowd did not let him pass and as they pleaded with him not to resign, in the midst of the commotion some women got hold of his resignation letter which was being held by MLA Leishangthem Susindro Meitei and it was allegedly torn by the women supporter. Copies of the torn resignation letter were making rounds on social media. 

Finally, after about six hours of high drama, Biren addressed the gathered crowds and made the announcement that he was not stepping down at this stage. He later tweeted in a single sentence, "At this crucial juncture, I wish to clarify that I will not be resigning from the post of Chief Minister."

It is estimated that ever since the spate of ethnic violence hit the northeastern state of Manipur more than 100 people have lost their lives. on Thursday fresh violence had claimed three more lives, leaving 5 injured.

The main confrontations are between the Meitei who account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and the tribal communities of Kuki and Nagas in the state which constitute another 40 per cent of the population. The Meiteis mostly live in the Imphal Valley, while the Nagas and Kukis reside in the hill districts.

The Chief Minister has come under repeated attack from the opposition parties especially the Congress party for not being able to handle the situation in Manipur and his failure in restoring peace and normalcy in the state.