Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on 7 October 2026 made a fervent appeal to all 36 communities of the state — including the Meitei, Kuki-Zo, and Naga — to set aside differences, restore lasting peace, and collectively work toward building a 'Viksit Manipur' (Developed Manipur) in line with the national vision of 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India). The appeal came during the 'Seva Jyoti Yatra', a foot march held at the historic Kangla Fort in Imphal, organised as part of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan — an initiative commemorating 25 continuous years of public service by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Peace Cannot Be Built from the Valley Alone

Chief Minister Khemchand Singh underscored a critical geographic reality: the valley districts, where unity and peace calls are most vocal, account for only eight per cent of Manipur's total geographical area. He stressed that meaningful and lasting peace demands a practical outreach — physically reaching out to the communities living in the hills.

Drawing on historical precedent, he noted that the erstwhile kings of Manipur regularly visited hill areas of the state, and urged a similar spirit of engagement in the present day. He called upon citizens to resolve differences through dialogue rather than agitations, which he said disrupt the state's normal functioning.

Ethnic Violence's Heavy Economic Toll

The Chief Minister did not shy away from acknowledging the deep economic wounds inflicted by the ethnic violence that erupted in Manipur in May 2023. He cited an estimated loss of more than ₹1,200 crore in GST revenue for the state during the period 2023–2026 — a direct consequence of the prolonged hostilities.

Beyond revenue losses, Khemchand Singh noted that bandhs and blockades had imposed a daily economic cost of approximately ₹20 to ₹25 crore on the state. This is the starkest quantification yet of the conflict's financial fallout from a sitting state official.

Development Milestones Under Central Leadership

The Chief Minister highlighted a series of infrastructure and social development achievements in Manipur, attributing them to the Union government's support. Key among them:

Railway connectivity has reached Khongsang in Tamenglong district, improving supply chains for essential commodities to remote parts of the state. The National Sports University (NSU) — the first and only institution of its kind in India — has been established in Manipur. Churachandpur Medical College has come up in the hill district of Churachandpur. Access to potable water in remote areas has surged from six per cent to nearly 80 per cent.

On border security, Khemchand Singh noted that out of the ongoing 240-km border fencing project — estimated at ₹3,223 crore — fencing of 55 km has already been completed, and piers for an additional 80 km have been erected and are ready for fencing.

India's Economic Rise Cited as Inspiration

Describing India's global economic trajectory, the Chief Minister stated that before Prime Minister Modi assumed office, India ranked 11th among the world's largest economies. India has since risen to 4th position, he said, citing this as motivation for Manipur to aim higher on its own development path.

He referenced the 'Viksit Bharat 2047' vision — the national goal of building a strong, developed India by the time the country marks 100 years of independence — urging the state's citizens to align their collective efforts with this larger national ambition.

Rajya Sabha MP Echoes the Call

Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi also addressed the gathering, praising the Union government's welfare schemes and their reach at the grassroots level. She emphasised the importance of women's participation in nation-building and highlighted several central initiatives promoting women-led development. She described India as progressing rapidly under what she called visionary national leadership.

With Manipur's wounds from the 2023 ethnic conflict still healing, the Chief Minister's appeal signals a deliberate push to shift the state's narrative from confrontation to collective rebuilding — and to channel community energies toward measurable development goals in the years ahead.