Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh demanded collective action to repair a deep trust deficit fueling violence in the state. He spoke on August 28 at a guest lecture titled Manipur Situation: Prevailing Trust Deficit and the Path Towards Trust Building held at the Manipur State Film Development Society auditorium in Imphal.
The event was hosted by the Assam Rifles alongside Manipur University and the MSFDS. Security forces remain critical. They evacuated 47,000 people to safety since the May 3, 2023, outbreak of violence. Khemchand noted 270 people died in the chaos. He claimed security teams saved over 7,000 Kuki lives and 47,000 Meitei lives.
Khemchand wants those opposing peace brought to justice. "There are people who don't want peace. We have to identify them as soon as possible. As far as the law is concerned, we have to book them," he said. The Chief Minister cited his trips to Jiribam and Litan as proof that ordinary people from Meitei, Kuki, Hmar, and Paite communities share the same desire to return home.
He recalled a moment of unity in Jiribam where groups shared a meal, only for that fragile peace to break. Bomb blasts soon hit Tronglaobi, killing two students. That event haunts him. Khemchand argued that restoring stability requires more than just government mandates. It demands constant interaction and mutual understanding between civil society, political leaders, and local residents.
Director General of Assam Rifles Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera attended alongside Chief Secretary Dr. Puneet Kumar Goel and Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh. Retired officials K Himalay Singh, R K Nimai, and Thangjam Brojen Singh were also present. Guest speaker Sudeep Chakravarti delivered the lecture, continuing a series meant to foster regional dialogue.
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