Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh met with prominent artistes at his official residence in Babupara, Imphal, on August 19. He demanded they use their creative work to mend a social fabric torn by an escalating conflict now involving three distinct communities. The CM wants the Meitei people to act as a "big brother and big sister" to help resolve the crisis.
Khemchand recalled a tense period during his time as a Cabinet minister. He reached out to Henglep MLA Letzamang Haokip to secure the lives of 120 Meitei labourers stranded in Churachandpur district. Haokip intervened successfully. The CM used this story to warn against collective blame. He argued that judging an entire community for the deeds of a few people is unethical.
The administration sees art as a bridge. Art and Culture Minister Khuraijam Loken Singh promised state support for creative projects meant to foster reconciliation. Attendees suggested a variety of platforms to reach the public. Shougrakpam Hemanta proposed a Shumang Leela play titled Ei Manipuri Ni to highlight a collective identity. Actor Gokul Athokpam volunteered to perform near National Highway 2 if the government guarantees security. Other contributors included singer Konthoujam Bobin, actress Chanam Lilabati, and Tangkhul Naga folk singer Guru Rewben Mashangva.
Lilabati urged a smarter use of social media to sway the youth toward peace. Beyond the stage, the CM backed the implementation of the National Register of Citizens in Manipur. He cited Jiribam district as a success story where communities now live in peace. Art and Culture Secretary Naorem Praveen Singh and Media Advisor Oinam Sunil Singh also attended the session.
Updated at 19th August 2026 at 10:00pm
Beyond the proposed outreach, actors pushed the administration to put its money where its mouth is. Actor Gokul Athokpam urged the government to set up subsidized rates for musical concerts and stage plays to keep local talent afloat while they work on reconciliation efforts.
Guru Rewben Mashangva added that the vision of unity remains stuck until everyone stops viewing each other through a fractured lens. He argued that the path forward starts by collectively acknowledging a shared identity as Manipuris, stripping away the differences that have pushed communities apart.
Updated at 20th August 2026 at 5:48am
While courting the arts community, the Chief Minister expanded his efforts on the security front. On the same day, he convened with senior Central Reserve Police Force officials to hammer out strategies for stabilizing the state. CRPF Inspector General for the Manipur and Nagaland sector, Rajendra Narayan Dash, met with the CM at the Secretariat to review the volatile law and order situation.
The Chief Minister acknowledged the paramilitary force's role in the ongoing operation. He confirmed the CRPF is now working in lockstep with state police and other agencies to push back against insurgency and stabilize public order.
Updated at 21st August 2026 at 1:49am
Vehicle movement along NH-37, the vital Imphal-Silchar route, resumed on August 20. The Transporters and Drivers Council called off its strike after a meeting with the Chief Minister, the DGP, and CRPF brass. Authorities promised to clear all stranded vehicles within three days and committed to deploying Road Opening Parties to escort future convoys.
The deal followed a standoff over the conduct of the Jiribam Superintendent of Police. Drivers and union leaders accused the officer of shaking down truckers and targeting those from outside the state with arbitrary fines. The All Jiribam Road Transport Drivers Union also raised alarms about a convoy of 200 vehicles sent out without security cover on August 19, leaving the SP on the hook for any potential attacks.
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