Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Saturday said dialogue remains the only way to end the state’s prolonged ethnic conflict as he visited Churachandpur to attend the funeral of former BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte, marking his first visit to the district since violence erupted in May 2023.
Khemchand arrived by helicopter and paid his last respects to Valte at the YPA New Lamka Cemetery in Dorcas Veng. The former Thanlon MLA, who died in February from injuries sustained in a mob attack during the outbreak of ethnic violence in 2023, was laid to rest with full state honours and a ceremonial gun salute.
Addressing reporters, the Chief Minister expressed grief over Valte’s death and recalled discussions he had held with the late legislator in the early days of the conflict on restoring communal harmony.
Responding to a question on his roadmap for peace, Khemchand said, “The smile of the questioner is the roadmap to peace.” He stressed that peace was a prerequisite for development and urged all communities to pursue dialogue to resolve the crisis.
The Chief Minister said a few individuals continued to benefit from the prevailing unrest and warned that those attempting to disrupt peace would be identified and dealt with in accordance with the law.
He said the prolonged conflict had severely affected the state’s economy, government revenue, daily wage earners and students, and appealed to people to work together to restore peace and normalcy.