Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh on Friday called for dialogue and peace among different communities during his first visit to Ukhrul district after assuming office.
He said that all societies have good and bad elements, but every ordinary citizen longs for peace.
During a heartfelt conversation with a woman who broke down in tears in Thuay Kuki village, the Prime Minister said: “I am a human being. My heart is truly touched. There is no other option but dialogue to restore peace.”
Manipur has been in the grip of ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities that began in May 2023 after a “tribal solidarity march” was organized in the hill areas to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status.
At least 260 people, including members of the Kuki and Meite communities as well as security personnel, were killed in the violence, while thousands were left homeless.
While conveying the message of living together in harmony, the Prime Minister said: “One must think about the coming generations as violence seriously affects children.”
Singh assured locals that he would take steps to resume regular classes in schools and work on providing drinking water in the area.
On his way to Ukhrul, the Prime Minister stopped at Charkavong, a Tangkul Naga village, where he was given a warm welcome by the village head, elders and women.
Regarding the construction of a bridge in Charkavong village, Singh directed the chief engineer of the Public Works Department to look into the matter. He assured local residents that construction of the bridge would begin this year.
Singh also stopped at Shangkai village, Chokphao village and Ramva along the Imphal-Ukrul road.
In Shangkai Village, he interacted with local residents, where women expressed concerns about the lack of potable water in the village and requested his intervention.
The Prime Minister assured them that he would address this issue as a priority and would work to find a solution immediately.
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