Freshly sworn in, Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh told the assembly on Thursday that all parties must unite to heal the violence-ravaged state and bring back order.
In a sobering address, he recounted the deadly 1993 Kuki-Naga clashes that felled over 1,000 lives, calling it a sorrowful episode demanding eternal prevention efforts.
The Chief Minister insisted on a team approach to peace, targeting the mistrust fueling restrictions on movement and returns for displaced residents.
He commended opposition lawmakers for endorsing stability drives amid Meitei-Kuki-Zo clashes from May 2023, during which President’s Rule was enacted February 13 prior.
The seventh session of the 12th Manipur Assembly was prorogued indefinitely by Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata. Singh, 61, Meitei BJP leader, twice triumphed in Singjamei, Imphal West (2017, 2022), served as Speaker 2017-2022, and joined N. Biren Singh’s cabinet post-2022 BJP win.
Central revocation of President’s Rule Wednesday smoothed the way for Singh’s NDA government. As optimism stirs, the real work lies in mending ethnic rifts through inclusive policies and trust-building initiatives. Singh’s collective call could spark the unity Manipur desperately needs.