Manipur CM flags off national integration tour

Manipur chief minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, during flagging off of “National Integration Tour 2025-26” at a post of the paramilitary force at Keithelmanbi, the fringe of Imphal West district on Tuesday, lauded the Assam Rifles for its active work to bridge divides between communities through their on-ground efforts in the ethnically tense state.
Altogether 24 youths, six each from the four communities – Meitei, Kuki, Naga, and Meitei Pangal (Muslim) – were part of the tour. The tour will cover Imphal, Thiruvananthapuram, Kanyakumari, Mumbai and Kolkata starting from March 3 to 13. The event was hosted by the 33 Assam Rifles, HeadQuarter 9 Sector on Tuesday.
Singh said the Assam Rifles have been actively working to bridge divides between communities through their on-ground efforts as well as outreach initiatives such as the national integration tour and expressed his happiness that the national integration tour participants were representing an integrated Manipur as the participants belong to various communities inhabited in the state. During the event, the chief minister maintained that during the crisis in the state, more than 47,000 people belonging to both the Meitei and Kuki communities were relocated to safer zones by the Assam Rifles to ensure their security and well-being.
“We should forgive and forget the past and jointly head towards bringing peace and development in the state,” he added. As part of the event, an interactive session was also held during which Singh personally engaged with the youths participating in the tour.
While interacting with the youths of four communities, the chief minister turned to Kuki youths and asked in Kuki dialect, “Bu na neh tah am” (Have you eaten food) to which the six Kuki youths replied “Ka Ne Tai” (We have eaten food).
In a symbolic gesture of unity and inclusiveness, a group was formed comprising one member from each community, and a flag was handed over to them to represent collective harmony and shared identity.
Kits were also distributed to the participants of the tour.
During the event, the officials of the Assam Rifles also introduced the chief minister to a group of National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets drawn from various communities residing in the state, highlighting the spirit of unity among the youths.
The event was attended by former Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Tarun Vijay, Brigadier Pratyush Kumar, and students among others.