Imphal: Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Friday visited L. Champhai Kuki Village in Kangpokpi district to inspect a crucial water supply project and oversee the restoration of a major pipeline.
The pipeline, which supplies drinking water to the Thangmeiband locality in the heart of Imphal, was severely damaged during the unprecedented ethnic crisis in May 2023.
During the inspection, senior officials from the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) briefed the Chief Minister, confirming that restoration work would be completed within a month, after which potable water supply to local villagers would also resume.
Accompanied by Saitu MLA Haokholet Kipgen, Sekmai MLA Heikham Dingo Singh, and Thangmeiband MLA Kh. Joykisan Singh, the Chief Minister assured the department of all necessary administrative and security assistance.
He also urged the Chairman of L. Champhai Village to extend full cooperation to PHED officials to ensure smooth project execution. Later in the day, the Chief Minister attended a public interaction programme at the Christian Center Church in Leimakhong.
Addressing the gathering, he expressed profound grief over the displacement of citizens who have been unable to return home since the crisis began.
Responding to local grievances, Khemchand Singh announced plans to upgrade the existing Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Leimakhong to a Community Health Centre (CHC). Acknowledging that the official upgradation might take time, he committed to arranging interim visits by specialist and super-specialist doctors from the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) to treat local residents.
Speaking at the event, Saitu MLA Haokholet Kipgen described Leimakhong as a “Mini Manipur,” noting its diverse population of Meitei, Kuki, Naga, Nepali, and Bihari communities.
Reflecting on his interactions with Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from both the Meitei and Kuki communities, Kipgen emphasised that people on both sides shared the same pain and a mutual desire to return home.
“We must forgive, forget, and work toward bridging the existing trust deficit,” Kipgen said. “For the sake of the younger generation, let us collectively shun violence. We must strive to live in harmony under the guidance of God and refrain from causing further hardship to one another.”
Sekmai MLA Heikham Dingo Singh also credited the Chief Minister’s outreach initiatives for narrowing ethnic divides and called for unified efforts toward peace and development in the state.
Thangmeiband MLA Kh. Joykisan Singh stressed the need for a collective identity, urging citizens to identify primarily as “Manipuris” rather than focusing on community lines.
Before returning to the capital, the Chief Minister visited Kanto Sabal village in Imphal West district.
He interacted with members of the Women Welfare Organisation (WWO) at the local Village Development Committee Hall, where he listened to their grievances and assured them of comprehensive government support for their welfare.