Lasting peace in Manipur needs collective effort, says CM; warns against vested interests benefiting from conflict

Imphal, June 17 (IANS) Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh said on Wednesday that while the state government is making every possible effort to restore normalcy in the state, achieving lasting peace requires the active cooperation and participation of all sections of society.

Addressing the eighth Foundation Day celebration of the Chingamakha Nambul Mapal Development Committee (CNMDC) at Chingamakha Yanglem Leikai Nambul Mapal in Imphal, the Chief Minister added that a small section of people continues to oppose peace because they derive benefits from the ongoing conflict and instability.

He stressed the need to identify and expose such vested interests and urged citizens to work collectively towards restoring peace, harmony and normalcy across the state.

Speaking on the importance of establishing lasting peace and normalcy in Manipur, Chief Minister Singh shared his recent experiences from visits to various conflict-affected areas and highlighted encouraging developments witnessed on the ground.

The Chief Minister recalled his recent visits to Jiribam, Kangpokpi, Senapati and Ukhrul districts, where he observed positive signs of reconciliation and renewed interaction among different communities.

He said that members of the Kuki, Paite, Hmar and Meitei communities in Jiribam have resumed living together peacefully, sharing meals and gradually returning to their homes, reflecting a growing desire for coexistence and harmony.

Chief Minister Singh also added that he personally interacted with members of different communities during his visit and even shared lunch with them, describing the experience as a positive indication of improving inter-community relations.

However, he expressed concern over a recent bomb blast at Tronglaobi, which claimed the lives of two children and left their mother seriously injured.

He said the tragic incident had adversely affected the prevailing atmosphere and caused the situation to deteriorate once again.

The Chief Minister reiterated that such acts of violence only undermine efforts aimed at restoring peace and urged all stakeholders to remain committed to the process of reconciliation and normalisation.

During the programme, Chief Minister Singh distributed cash prizes and certificates to meritorious students of Classes 10 and 12 from both the Manipur Board of Secondary Education, and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), in recognition of their academic achievements.

Congratulating the students, the Chief Minister encouraged them to continue striving for excellence and contribute meaningfully to society and the development of the state.

Chief Minister Singh also urged the residents of Chingamakha Yanglem Leikai Nambul Mapal to maintain cleanliness in the locality and along internal roads through active community participation and collective responsibility.

He emphasised that cleanliness and civic consciousness play an important role in creating a healthy and progressive society and called upon local residents to work together in preserving the environment and public spaces.

Sanasam Shantikumar Singh, President of the Chingamakha Nambul Mapal Development Committee (CNMDC); Thokchom Eliza Devi, Caretaker Councillor; residents of Chingamakha Yanglem Leikai Nambul Mapal; and several other dignitaries attended the event.

–IANS

sc/khz