Manipur Chief Minister Calls for Unity and Peace Amid Ongoing Violence

Imphal, September 4 (Daily Kiran) : Chief Minister of Manipur, Yumkham Khemchand Singh, urged all segments of society to come together to abandon violence and foster a peaceful environment for future generations. Speaking on September 4, he emphasized the importance of unity and peace for the betterment of the state’s residents.

Earlier in the day, Singh visited the hill district of Kangpokpi, which is home to a significant Kuki tribal population. He participated in a public dialogue at the Christian Center Church in Leimakhong. During this interaction, he expressed sorrow over the displacement of people due to the ongoing crisis, noting that many have yet to return home. He spoke with internally displaced persons (IDPs) from both the Meitei and Kuki communities, who shared a common desire to return to their homes and villages.

The Chief Minister remarked that the crisis has brought similar suffering to all communities involved. He urged everyone to move forward, leaving behind the events of May 2023, and to work towards rebuilding trust among communities.

With a focus on the younger generation, Singh called for collective efforts to end violence and create a peaceful atmosphere for youth. He stated that under divine oversight, it is essential to strive for harmony and avoid causing distress to one another.

Singh also visited the village of L. Champhai in Kangpokpi district, where he inspected a water supply project. He observed the repair work on a main pipeline that had been damaged during the unprecedented ethnic violence in May 2023, which supplies drinking water to the Thangmeiband area of Imphal.

During the inspection, senior officials from the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) informed Singh that the repair work would be completed within a month, restoring access to drinking water for the villagers. He assured necessary support for the smooth completion of the project alongside local legislators Haokholet Kipjen, Heikham Dingo Singh, and Kh. Joykishan Singh, and mentioned that security forces would also be provided.

Singh appealed to the village chairman, Thangkhomang, to fully cooperate with PHED officials in their efforts. He indicated that he would consider upgrading the primary health center in Leimakhong to a community health center. While this process may take time, he promised to arrange for specialist and super-specialist doctors from the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) to be sent to Leimakhong for local treatment in the interim.

Local legislator Haokholet Kipjen referred to Leimakhong as “mini Manipur” and expressed hope that the area would soon return to its pre-crisis state. He praised the Chief Minister’s visit, highlighting the diverse communities residing in Leimakhong, including Meitei, Kuki, Naga, Nepali, and Bihari populations. Legislator Heikham Dingo Singh commended the Chief Minister’s initiative to bridge distances and called for collaborative efforts towards peace and development in the state.