In a significant confidence-building move, Meitei MLA and former Manipur Rural Development Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh visited Kuki villages in the hill districts for the first time since ethnic violence broke out in Manipur in May 2023.
The BJP legislator travelled to Litan village in Ukhrul district, near the Myanmar border, where he interacted with local Kuki villagers and inquired about the hardships they have faced over the past two and a half years. He also visited a relief camp housed at Litan Sareikhong Baptist Church and met 173 internally displaced Kuki inmates who had fled their homes during the violence.
Wishing for peace ahead of the Christmas season, Yumnam said that all communities should pray for the restoration of harmony in the state. He urged people to prioritise peace and coexistence, stating that differences should not obstruct development or prevent people from visiting each other’s villages.
“Conflicts exist across the world and among different communities, but we must learn to live in harmony despite our differences. We should not allow this conflict to affect the future of our children,” he said while addressing camp inmates.
Manipur has witnessed prolonged Meitei-Kuki ethnic violence since May 2023, with more than 250 lives lost and thousands rendered homeless. Over one lakh internally displaced persons continue to stay in relief camps across the state.
Yumnam Khemchand, a former Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly and founder of the Assam Taekwondo Association, had earlier played a role in securing a central housing package for IDPs and had organised relief support for displaced Meitei families during the initial phase of the unrest.
State BJP Vice President and Tangkhul Naga leader Hopingson Shimray, who accompanied him, described the visit as a remarkable gesture at a time when inter-community movement remains sensitive. He said Yumnam was the first Meitei MLA from the BJP to visit a Kuki relief camp.
Former ADC Chairman and Tangkhul Naga leader Mark Luithing said the visit marked the beginning of people-to-people contact after the outbreak of violence. Yumnam also visited Chassad, a Kuki village in Kamjong district bordering Myanmar, during the outreach.
