Manipur CM says leaders who speak of unity unwilling to reach beyond valley

Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on October 14 said some leaders who publicly profess their love for Manipur and commitment to its territorial integrity were unwilling to reach out beyond the valley and embrace all communities.

Calling for collective efforts to restore peace in the state, the Chief Minister urged people to stop criticising one another and focus on how communities could live together as Manipuris.

“There are some leaders who always express that they love Manipur and don’t want to break the integrity of the state. However, they remain unwilling to go beyond the valley and embrace all communities, which is very unfortunate,” Khemchand Singh said.

He was speaking as the chief guest at the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan held at Chumthang Shanapung in Langthabal Lep Makha Leikai, under the Naoriya Pakhanglakpa Assembly constituency.

“Let’s stop criticising each other and focus on how we, all communities of the state, can live together as Manipuris,” he said, emphasising that peace was essential for development.

Citing Singapore as an example, the Chief Minister highlighted how the country had achieved high per capita income through the effective utilisation of human resources, hard work and a shared sense of identity.

He said Singapore, despite its relatively small geographical size, had made significant economic progress, with people from different communities living together with a sense of oneness. Manipur, he said, could draw lessons from Singapore’s emphasis on unity and hard work.

Khemchand Singh also highlighted Manipur’s contribution to sports at the national and international levels, saying the state’s sporting achievements demonstrated the potential of its people.

He stressed that peace was necessary to unlock this potential and accelerate development, adding that progress would not be possible without a peaceful environment.

On infrastructure development in Naoriya Pakhanglakpa constituency, the Chief Minister said roads were being constructed using the rigid pavement system, although the process required considerable time.

MLA S Kebi said the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan helped bring government policies and programmes closer to people and enabled beneficiaries to access welfare schemes.

As part of the initiative, outreach camps involving 42 government departments were organised to provide information on government services and facilitate access to various welfare schemes, she said, urging residents to take advantage of the facilities.

Imphal West Deputy Commissioner M Rajkumar Singh and senior officials from various departments also attended the programme.