New Delhi: Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh, who was reportedly on the verge of resigning on Friday, June 30, decided to go back on the decision under public pressure, a senior minister told NDTV.

A torn resignation letter of Singh has emerged on social media.

CM Manipur N Biren Singh resignation letter to the Governor of Manipur today. 😢 pic.twitter.com/U6SfkSviIH

— Licypriya Kangujam (@LicypriyaK) June 30, 2023

According to ANI, several women gathered near the chief minister’s residence in Imphal to support him.

#WATCH | Voices emerge in support of Manipur CM Biren Singh outside his residence in Imphal.

“We do not want the CM to resign, he should not resign. He is doing a lot of work for us. We are in giving support the CM,” says the locals of Manipur pic.twitter.com/FnQ8Spu6Vw

— ANI (@ANI) June 30, 2023

The women formed a human chain, saying that they do not want him to resign, the NDTV report said.

Singh tweeted saying, “At this crucial juncture, I wish to clarify that I will not be resigning from the post of Chief Minister.”

At this crucial juncture, I wish to clarify that I will not be resigning from the post of Chief Minister.

— N.Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) June 30, 2023

He was reported to meet with the governor at 3 pm, which led to speculation on his possible resignation.

Around 2:20, he along with a delegation of around 20 MLAs moved out of his residence to head towards the governor’s residence, but were met with the crowds outside, and had to head back, the Indian Express reported.

After some time, a few ministers led by the PWD minister came out to address the gathering, with minister Susidro Metitei reading out the resignation letter which was supposed to be submitted to the governor. After this, the paper was handed over to some of the gathered women, who tore it.

“After we came back to the chief minister’s residence, we requested him to reconsider the resignation given the people’s will. After convincing the CM, a few ministers went outside to tell the people that he had agreed not to resign,” said government spokesperson and minister Sapam Ranjan Singh.

The developments come a day after the deaths of at least three people, including a policeman, in a gunfight at Manipur’s Kangpokpi district has once again put the state on edge.

Ethnic violence which began in early May has led to the deaths of nearly 200 people and displaced over 60,000. Singh has been on the receiving end of much criticism over his handling of the violence.