Peace lies in shared identity: Manipur CM in Senapati

Manipur chief minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Friday visited Naga-dominated Senapati district via Kuki-dominated Kangpokpi district.
This is the first time a top leader from the Meitei community took the surface route through NH-102 since the unfolding of violence crisis almost three year ago, in May 2023.
It may be noted that after the unfolding of the violence , no Meitei can travel on NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur section) passing through the Kuki-dominated Kangpokpi district.
In view of the fragile security situation along the stretch of the road, particularly while passing through Kangpokpi district, heavy security deployment, with multiple layers of security forces, was made to ensure safe passage of the VIP.
Not only just passing through, the chief minister also had a stopover at Henbung of Kangpokpi district where he met with MLA Haokholet Kipgen of Saitu Assembly Constituency of Kangpokpi district at the latter’s residence.
“I sincerely appreciate his warm hospitality and the valuable insights he (MLA Haokholet Kipgen) shared, which will further guide our efforts toward inclusive development and responsive governance,’ the chief minister wrote in a post on the social media regarding the stopover.
The chief minister was accompanied by deputy chief minister Loshii Dikho, MLAs – Awangbow Newmai, T Robindro, and J Kumo Sha among others during the Senapati visit.
Singh’s first visit to Senapati district since he became the chief minister of the state has sent a clear message that efforts for peace will be far stronger than any attempt to derail the process, chief minister’s office said, in a release.
Development projects, calls for unity, and a message of peace marked the chief minister’s maiden visit, it added.
He attended the reception ceremony hosted by Senapati based CSOs.
Addressing the event, the chief minister described Manipur as a “mini-India”, while saying “The territorial integrity of Manipur has been safeguarded by the 36 different communities inhabited in the state since time immemorial. Thus, Manipur is considered a Mini India.”
“First we are Indian and then we are Manipuri” he says, continuing that “We all should work together as Manipuri and take our state to a new height of development.” He conveyed that restoring a shared sense of belonging will be crucial for peace and stability.
“Lasting peace can only be achieved when we move beyond ethnic divisions and begin to see ourselves first as Indians and Manipuris before identifying with individual communities,” the chief minister said.
Responding to various development initiative demands through memorandums submitted by the CSOs, the chief minister assured addressing the demands at his level best saying Manipur cannot be called a developed state without developing Senapati.
Singh explored the state’s development potential and said that Manipur could witness rapid growth comparable to Singapore if its people unite with a common vision.
As part of future plans for the district, the chief minister announced that a medical college will be established in Senapati and tourism infrastructure will be developed along the Barak River in consultation with the tourism department and local civil society groups.
Attending the event, deputy chief minister Losii Dikho also thanked the people of Senapati for organising what he described as a historic reception for the chief minister.
He noted that it was the first time a hill district had hosted such a reception for the state’s leader.
Dikho said the gesture reflected the people’s support for the government during a difficult period for the state while emphasizing that “peace must now become a shared responsibility for all communities.”
Before concluding his speech, on the request of the deputy chief minister, the gathering observed a one-minute silence in remembrance of the two infants who were killed in the recent bomb blast at Tronglaobi Awang Leikai in Bishnupur district earlier this week.
During the visit, the chief minister inaugurated several development projects in Senapati district. These included a multi-level parking facility at Senapati Bazaar designed as an interstate and district agriculture and economic transportation hub.
Other projects inaugurated were 10 multi-purpose centres under PM-Janman in PVTG areas of the Maram tribe, a primary health sub-centre building at Punanamei, and a 3D digital laboratory under PM-DeVINE.
The reception was hosted by three Naga frontal organizations led by the Naga People’s Organisation.