Imphal, February 5. In his first address to the assembly after assuming office, Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh emphasized that restoring peace in the violence-hit state is a shared responsibility of all stakeholders, including elected representatives.
Speaking to the legislative assembly, Singh reflected on the state’s painful history of ethnic conflicts, particularly recalling the devastating Kuki-Naga clashes of 1993 that claimed over 1,000 lives. He described such violence as deeply regrettable and stressed the need for continuous efforts to prevent any recurrence of past tragedies.
“Bringing back a peaceful atmosphere is our collective responsibility,” the Chief Minister asserted, urging cooperation to bridge the trust deficit that has hindered free movement and the return of displaced people to their homes.
The 61-year-old BJP legislator expressed gratitude to opposition MLAs for supporting the government’s initiatives aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state, where ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities erupted in May 2023. President’s Rule had been imposed on February 13 last year amid the unrest.
Later, Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata adjourned the seventh session of the 12th Manipur Assembly sine die. A member of the majority Meitei community, Singh previously served as Assembly Speaker from 2017 to 2022 and was elected twice from the Singjamei constituency in Imphal West district as a BJP candidate in 2017 and 2022.
Following the BJP’s consecutive victory in the 2022 Manipur Assembly elections, he was appointed a cabinet minister in the second N. Biren Singh ministry. Meanwhile, the Centre lifted President’s Rule in Manipur on Wednesday, paving the way for the formation of an NDA government under Yumnam Khemchand Singh’s leadership.
As Manipur steps into this new phase, all eyes are on the new administration’s ability to unite communities and heal the wounds of division. The Chief Minister’s call for collective action sets a hopeful tone, but sustained dialogue and concrete measures will be key to lasting peace.