Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh has appealed to the Meitei community to take on the role of a “big brother” in helping resolve the renewed tensions between the Kuki and Naga communities. He said lasting peace and reconciliation are essential for the state’s long-term development.
Speaking at a BJP event in Imphal on June 25, 2026, to mark Samvidhan Hatya Diwas, which commemorates the 1975 Emergency imposed by the Congress government, Singh stressed that development cannot move forward without peace and normalcy.
The Chief Minister made the appeal at a time when Manipur continues to recover from the ethnic violence that began on May 3, 2023. The conflict, mainly between the valley-based Meitei community and the hill-based Kuki-Zo tribes, claimed more than 250 lives, displaced tens of thousands of people, and led to the imposition of President’s Rule. Following the restoration of a popular government under Singh in February 2026, the state has focused on restoring normalcy, especially in valley districts and sensitive areas such as Jiribam.
Singh highlighted the improving situation in Jiribam district, where Hmar, Paite, Meitei, Kuki and Naga communities have reportedly resumed peaceful coexistence. Many internally displaced persons have returned to their villages and restarted their normal lives. He said this progress stands in contrast to the renewed tensions in several hill districts, where reports of clashes, hostage-taking and disputes over land, residency and resources have emerged.
The Kuki-Naga conflict has a long history. Rivalries date back to the colonial period, with major clashes in the 1990s resulting in hundreds of deaths and widespread displacement. Land ownership, political representation and demands for autonomy were among the main causes of those confrontations. Nagas, mainly living in districts such as Ukhrul, Senapati and Tamenglong, and Kukis, concentrated in Churachandpur and parts of Kangpokpi, have shared a history marked by both coexistence and competition.
The Meitei-Kuki violence of 2023 added further complexity to the situation. Although Nagas initially remained neutral or acted as mediators, issues such as territorial claims, alleged illegal poppy cultivation and the spread of arms have led to direct confrontations with Kuki groups. Recent incidents in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts, including ambushes, hostage crises and church-led peace efforts, have highlighted the growing challenges.
Singh, a senior BJP leader from the Meitei heartland and a former Assembly Speaker, has continued his outreach by meeting Kuki-Zo leaders in Guwahati and visiting Naga-dominated areas. By urging the Meitei community to act as facilitators instead of partisans, he called for a spirit of brotherhood in a state where identity politics has often overshadowed a shared Manipuri identity.
The Chief Minister also said the return of elected governance has allowed the government to restart stalled development projects. He highlighted Jiribam’s strategic location on the Assam border and its potential to become a major commercial gateway. A major initiative under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership is expected to be launched there, building on earlier announcements of projects including the Jiribam-Imphal railway and urban development packages worth thousands of crores.
The development plans are part of wider central government investments in connectivity, healthcare, education and women’s hostels across Meitei and tribal areas. Officials believe peace could unlock Manipur’s economic potential in agriculture, tourism and trade along eastern corridors. However, challenges remain, including armed groups operating under suspension of operations agreements, lack of trust among communities and the continued spread of small arms.
Church leaders and civil society organisations have continued to support peace efforts, while Singh has warned that some elements benefiting from prolonged conflict are trying to obstruct reconciliation.
During the Samvidhan Hatya Diwas programme, Singh also spoke about the 1975 Emergency, paying tribute to those who opposed it and reaffirming his faith in democratic processes where “the people remain supreme.” He linked his appeal for peace in Manipur with the broader national emphasis on constitutional values and development under BJP governance.
Singh said the Meitei community, as the state’s largest community with significant influence in the valley and government institutions, can play an important role in building trust. He said lasting peace will depend on cooperation from all communities, strong security measures and progress in rehabilitation and economic inclusion.