Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh meets IDPs, assures peace push as editor shot at in Imphal.
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IMPHAL — Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Thursday said his government is trying hard to bridge the relationship between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities so that fear of venturing into each other’s area is fully removed.
The chief minister appealed to civil society organisations from both hills and valleys to work together for restoration of normalcy, urging all communities to live with unity and mutual respect.
Singh was interacting with the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of both Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities for the first time since May 2023 violence, in presence of MLAs both in person and through video conference while distributing benefits worth around INR 33 crore to IDPs through direct benefit transfer (DBT) at Alternate Housing Complex, National Games Village in Imphal.
The IDPs of both the communities narrated to the chief minister their plight and hardship they faced in the last three years.
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An internally displaced Meitei from the border town of Moreh told Singh that she had been staying in a relief camp for nearly three years and expressed her desire to visit her home at least once.
Meanwhile, a Kuki-Zo woman from a relief camp in Churachandpur described the various difficulties they face, particularly in accessing medical treatment.
Responding to concerns about the hardships faced by people in Churachandpur in obtaining medical care—especially since a majority of doctors in the state belong to the Meitei community and most advanced medical facilities are located in Imphal—he recounted how two Meitei Pangal doctors were sent for the hospitalisation of BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte.
“There will be absolutely no problem getting medical treatment in the hospitals of Imphal. We will make some arrangements,” he assured the Kuki-Zo IDPs.
For those students whose studies have been affected by the present crisis, he said, “We need a special plan for such students.”
“I will not let your tears go in vain,” Singh said after listening patiently to grievances, adding that his government’s priority is to remove the trust deficit between the two communities.
Informing that Manipur is home to 36 communities, the CM stressed that people in hills and valleys must live as one. He also informed that MLAs will visit all 36 IDP relief camps as part of this initiative.
He urged IDPs and CSOs to bridge trust gaps and strengthen peace.
A special support of INR 2,420 per person is being provided to enable IDPs to replace worn-out mattresses and essential personal items. Other financial assistance measures include INR 1 lakh per family whose houses were completely burnt. Additionally, INR 25,000 has already been released as the first instalment to 9,314 households, while the first instalment of INR 25,000 will be released to another 434 households.
Later sharing the photographs of the interaction on X, the CM wrote, “This interaction marks an important milestone in our collective efforts towards restoring peace, stability, and normalcy in the state. Reaffirmed the Government’s firm commitment to addressing the grievances of all affected families and ensuring their safe and dignified return to their homes at the earliest.”
The interaction was attended by Deputy CM Losii Dikho (via video conference), Minister Kh Loken Singh, MLAs S Kunjakeshwor Singh, Nishikant Sapam, Kh Raghumani Singh, Chief Secretary Dr. Puneet Kumar Goel and other officials.
IDPs from different relief camps were also represented by Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, MLAs Letzamang Haokip, LM Khaute and Paolienlal Haokip.
Editor of Naharolgi Thoudang shot at in Imphal
Unknown armed assailants on Wednesday night shot at and allegedly assaulted Khoirom Loyalakpa, editor of the local vernacular daily Naharolgi Thoudang, officials confirmed on Thursday.
The incident occurred near the Hatta War Cemetery under the jurisdiction of Porompat Police Station at around 10 pm. According to sources, a car believed to be a Maruti Swift had been trailing Loyalakpa’s vehicle before two rounds were fired at the left window glass of his car.
The assailants allegedly assaulted Loyalakpa, causing injuries, before fleeing the scene as locals rushed out after hearing the gunshots.
A formal complaint has been lodged at Porompat Police Station and an investigation has been initiated.
Loyalakpa also serves as President of the Manipur Hockey Association. Notably, unidentified miscreants had fired at the gate of his residence in Imphal East district in 2014, raising concerns about his security. It is reliably learnt that the security cover previously provided to him was reportedly withdrawn recently.
Meanwhile, condemning the incident during an emergency meeting, the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union and the Editors’ Guild Manipur decided to stage a sit-in demonstration in Imphal on Friday and submit a memorandum to the state Chief Minister.