A day after taking charge, Manipur’s freshly appointed Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh made a passionate plea on Thursday for collective action to revive normalcy in the strife-torn northeastern state.
Addressing the state assembly, the BJP leader delved into Manipur’s turbulent ethnic past, highlighting the catastrophic Kuki-Naga conflict in 1993 that resulted in more than 1,000 deaths. Labeling it a tragic chapter, Singh called for unwavering commitment to avoid repeating history.
He underscored that peace restoration demands joint efforts from everyone involved, pointing to the trust gap currently blocking safe mobility and rehabilitation of displaced families.
Singh, aged 61 and a prominent Meitei figure, thanked opposition members for backing governmental steps toward stability, following the ethnic clashes between Meiteis and Kuki-Zos that began in May 2023. The state had been under President’s Rule since February 13 of the previous year.
The session concluded with Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata proroguing the seventh session of the 12th Assembly indefinitely. Singh’s political journey includes two terms as Speaker (2017-2022) and victories from Singjamei in Imphal West in the 2017 and 2022 BJP-led elections.
Post the BJP’s back-to-back poll success in 2022, he joined the cabinet under N. Biren Singh. In a significant development, the central government revoked President’s Rule on Wednesday, enabling the NDA coalition to form a new government led by Singh.
This transition marks a critical juncture for Manipur, where fostering unity amid deep-seated divisions will test the resolve of leaders and communities alike. The CM’s vision of shared responsibility offers a roadmap, but implementation remains the true challenge.