Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh on Friday called for sustained dialogue and peaceful coexistence among communities during his maiden visit to Ukhrul district after assuming office, amid ongoing ethnic tensions in the state, officials said.
Speaking at multiple interactions with locals, the chief minister stressed that dialogue remained the only viable path to restore peace in the conflict-hit state. “I am a human being. My heart was truly touched. There is no other option other than dialogue for the restoration of peace,” he said during an interaction at Thawai Kuki village, where a woman reportedly broke down in tears.
Manipur has been witnessing ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities since May 2023, triggered after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was held in the hill districts opposing the demand for Scheduled Tribes status by the Meitei community. The violence has so far claimed at least 260 lives, including civilians and security personnel, and displaced thousands.
During his visit, Singh urged residents to think about future generations and said continued violence would severely impact children and education. He also assured steps to resume normal functioning of schools and improve potable water supply in the region.
On his way to Ukhrul, the chief minister stopped at Sharkaphung village in Ukhrul district, where he was welcomed by the village chief, elders and women. He directed the Public Works Department to examine the proposal for constructing a bridge in the village and assured that work would begin this year.
He also visited Shangkai, Shokvao and Ramva villages along the Imphal–Ukhrul road, where he interacted with residents and heard grievances, including shortages of drinking water.
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At Shangkai village, women residents urged immediate intervention to address the drinking water crisis, to which the chief minister responded with assurances of priority action.
The chief minister reiterated that the government is committed to restoring normalcy in the state through dialogue, development and improved basic services across affected regions.
Five IDP families in Churachandpur allege aid exclusion
Five internally displaced person (IDP) families in Manipur’s Churachandpur district have alleged that they have been excluded from government relief aid and food supplies since November 2025, and have sought urgent intervention from the authorities to restore assistance, officials informed.
The families claimed they have not received essential ration and financial support under the government’s rehabilitation framework for displaced persons affected by ethnic violence in the state. They also alleged irregularities in the distribution of food and aid meant for IDPs, leaving them without basic support for several months.
The affected families said they have repeatedly approached local authorities and welfare bodies but have not received a satisfactory response. They urged the state government to immediately review the beneficiary lists and ensure that all eligible displaced families are included in the relief mechanism.
They further demanded transparency in the distribution process and regular monitoring of supplies, stating that exclusion from aid has worsened their already difficult living conditions.
The issue of relief distribution to IDPs in Churachandpur has been a recurring concern, with several civil society groups in the past flagging alleged gaps in coverage and discrepancies in the delivery of government assistance.
Authorities are yet to issue an official response to the latest allegations.
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