Ukhrul: In a bid to resolve the ongoing tension between the Kuki and Tangkhul Naga communities, Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Friday visited several villages in Ukhrul district as part of a trust-building mission, calling for dialogue and peaceful coexistence.
Addressing the gathering during the visit, Khemchand Singh said that while every community has both good and bad elements, ordinary people and innocent children all aspire for peace. He stressed that dialogue remains the only viable path to restore normalcy in the state.
He also instructed the concerned officials to ensure daily Road Opening Party (ROP) deployment from Litan to Mahadev (Wungvei) to facilitate free and secure movement of the public.
Appealing for unity, he urged communities to move beyond grief and think about the well-being of future generations. “We must control our emotions and work towards living together in harmony,” he said.
The Chief Minister assured villagers that efforts would be made to resume normal school classes and confirmed that the construction of a bridge in the area is already part of the government’s work programme. He also promised to prioritise the provision of drinking water and take up the matter immediately upon returning to Imphal.
During his visit, Khemchand Singh also stopped at Sharkaphung, a Tangkhul Naga village, where he was warmly welcomed by residents. Interacting with village leaders, he reiterated the importance of dialogue, recalling that even major global conflicts like the World War II eventually ended through sustained negotiations despite widespread destruction.
He urged local leaders to initiate peace talks when emotions are calm, warning that continued unrest could jeopardise the future of children. He also directed officials to expedite the construction of a bridge connecting Sharkaphung to other parts of the district, assuring that work would begin this year.
Earlier, the Chief Minister visited Shangkai, Shokvao, and Ramva villages along the Imphal–Ukhrul road. At Shangkai, residents raised concerns over the lack of potable water, while villagers in Shokvao highlighted issues related to development works. In Ramva, locals demanded better road infrastructure. The Chief Minister assured all villages of inclusive development and prompt action on their concerns.
On the way to Ukhrul headquarters, he met officials from the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), who briefed him on the progress and challenges of the Imphal–Ukhrul–Jessami road project. The Chief Minister assured that issues would be addressed in coordination with the Chief Secretary and relevant authorities.
At Ukhrul district headquarters, Khemchand Singh received a grand welcome from the district administration, civil society organisations, and local residents.
Meanwhile, the Tangkhul Nagalong submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister highlighting key demands, including the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades at Ukhrul District Hospital such as an oxygen plant, blood bank, filling of specialist and staff vacancies, and availability of emergency drugs.
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The organisation also called for 24×7 security along the Imphal–Ukhrul highway, an end to the militarisation of Naga-inhabited areas, strict neutrality by central forces, and action against alleged extortion along highways. It further demanded the withdrawal of the Thawai Kuki murder case from the National Investigation Agency.
Later, the Chief Minister, accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dilkho, Tourism Minister Khuraijam Loken Singh, MLAs, and Chief Secretary P.K. Goel, inspected preparations for the upcoming Shirui Lily Festival 2026 at Shirui village.
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