IMPHAL: In a notable political outreach amid Manipur’s prolonged ethnic tensions, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on April 10 met Haokholet Kipgen, Kuki MLA from Saitu Assembly Constituency, at his residence in Henbung, marking a rare engagement between leaders from the state’s divided communities.
The visit, made while the Chief Minister was en route to Senapati district to inaugurate development projects, is being viewed as a symbolic yet significant step towards rebuilding trust between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.
Following the meeting, the Chief Minister described the interaction as “constructive and cordial” in a post on his official social media page. He appreciated the hospitality extended by the Kuki legislator and acknowledged the “valuable insights” shared during their discussion, emphasising that such engagements would guide the government’s approach to inclusive governance and development.
Accompanying the Chief Minister, Thanga MLA T Robindro Singh underlined the government’s commitment to restoring peace in the conflict-hit state.
“The MLA of Saitu is also a member of our legislative assembly. It is our responsibility to engage and explore possible ways to bring peace,” he said to this reporter over the phone.
He further highlighted that development remains a parallel priority, noting that projects worth nearly rupees 100 crore were inaugurated in the Senapati district during the visit. According to him, the initiatives are aimed at ensuring balanced growth across both hill and valley regions.
It may be noted that Kangpokpi district was created in 2016 by carving out the Sadar Hills areas from Senapati district. Despite the administrative division, many residents of Kangpokpi continue to visit the Senapati district headquarters for trade and marketing, with the Senapati market remaining a key meeting point for people from both districts. Therefore, development at the Senapati district headquarters will meet the needs of people from both Kangpokpi and Senapati districts.
The Chief Minister also held interactions with civil society organisations in Senapati, where discussions focused on resolving the ongoing crisis and strengthening cooperation between communities.
According to BJP Manipur Pradesh General Secretary P Premananda Meitei, this marks the first time Chief Minister Khemchand Singh has visited a Kuki-dominated area since assuming office on February 4, 2026.
His outreach builds on an earlier gesture in December 2025, when—prior to becoming Chief Minister—he visited a Kuki-Zo relief camp at Litan Sareikhong Baptist Church in Ukhrul district. That visit was widely noted as the first instance of a BJP Meitei leader entering a Kuki-Zo relief camp during the ongoing unrest.
The significance of Friday’s meeting is underscored by the continuing ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, which erupted in 2023 and has since reshaped Manipur’s social and geographic landscape.
The violence led to widespread casualties, destruction of property, and the displacement of thousands, many of whom continue to live in relief camps across the state. Over time, the conflict has resulted in a near-complete breakdown of inter-community movement.
Strict, informal, and security-imposed restrictions have effectively separated the valley and hill regions. Meitei residents rarely travel to Kuki-dominated hill districts, and vice versa, with buffer zones maintained by security forces to prevent further clashes. This physical and psychological divide has disrupted economic activity, governance, and social cohesion.
Against this backdrop, the Chief Minister’s visit to a Kuki legislator’s residence carries both symbolic and practical implications. While the outreach signals an attempt to reopen political dialogue, observers note that sustained engagement and concrete confidence-building measures will be necessary to translate such gestures into lasting peace.
For now, the meeting represents a cautious but visible step towards bridging a divide that continues to define Manipur’s present reality.
