Imphal, Sep 13 (IANS) Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh said on Sunday that the present state government was formed at a time of severe ethnic crisis in the state and that restoring peace and normalcy remains one of its foremost responsibilities.
Addressing the closing ceremony of the third Singjamei Constituency Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Trophy State Level Open Chess Tournament 2026, the Chief Minister said that the task of bringing peace amid the prevailing situation was like “threading a needle through a torn cloth”, requiring patience, careful efforts and gradual progress.
“We are all Manipuris. We have 36 communities, and we should never be apart,” CM Khemchand Singh said, stressing the need for unity and mutual understanding among all communities of the state.
The Chief Minister highlighted the recent progress towards restoring inter-state road transportation between Imphal and Guwahati in Assam and Dimapur in Nagaland, which had become possible after more than three years of disruption.
He said that he had held discussions and negotiations with various Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and stakeholders to facilitate the reopening of the route.
Chief Minister Khemchand Singh said that it was through this spirit of understanding and sustained dialogue that progress had been made towards restoring the road connection.
The resumption of road transportation, he added, was not merely a transportation-related development but also a significant step towards bringing peace and restoring normalcy in Manipur.
Th. Kanto Singh, Vice-President Service Recreation and Organisation of Youths; L. Lokeshwar Singh, Imphal Municipal Corporation (IMC) Mayor, Th. Bankimchandra and Th. Eliza Devi, both IMC Corporators.
The event featured a series of cultural programmes, following which the Chief Minister officially began the tournament.
Art and Culture and Tourism Minister Khuraijam Loken Singh, Rameshwar Meitei, Heikham Dingo, both MLAs; other officials, players, family members and a large number of spectators were present at the event.
The programme also featured a special appreciation for Laitonjam Ranabir Singh for being conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Indian Arm-Wrestling Federation.
–IANS
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