Manipur CM: All 36 communities must unite as Manipuris to protect state
Synopsis
Amid an ongoing ethnic crisis, Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh used a mass public event to call on all 36 communities — Meitei, Kuki, and Naga alike — to identify as Manipuris first. With over four lakh participants at 6,122 venues, the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan provided the platform; the message was unmistakably about reconciliation in a state still fractured since May 2023.
Key Takeaways
Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh said the state's 36 communities have collectively safeguarded its territorial integrity at various points in history.
He called on Meitei , Kuki , and Naga communities to identify as Manipuris to foster unity.
The Seva Sankalp Abhiyan , marking 25 years of PM Modi's public service, drew more than four lakh participants across 6,122 venues from 17 September to 17 October .
The CM highlighted key milestones including India's first National Sports University in Manipur, partial AFSPA withdrawal, ILP implementation, and deferral of the Census pending NRC updation.
Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh stressed that peace requires collective responsibility from all communities, not the government alone.
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Saturday, 17 October declared that the state's 36 communities have collectively safeguarded Manipur's territorial integrity at critical junctures in history, calling on all ethnic groups — including the Meitei, Kuki, and Naga — to embrace a shared identity as Manipuris as the foundation for lasting peace.
Unity as the Path Forward
Speaking at the Jan Sevak Mahakumbh organised under the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' at the City Convention Centre in Imphal, the Chief Minister stressed that no single community can claim sole credit for protecting the state. He underscored that the Manipuri language, shared across communities, must be cherished and promoted as a living symbol of collective identity.
The remarks carry particular weight given that Manipur has been in the grip of ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since May 2023, a crisis that has claimed hundreds of lives and displaced tens of thousands. This is the broader context in which the Chief Minister's call for unity is being made.
Seva Sankalp Abhiyan: Scale and Reach
The 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' was observed across all districts of Manipur for one month, from 17 September to 17 October, to mark 25 years of public service by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to the Chief Minister, the campaign recorded participation of more than four lakh people across 6,122 venues throughout the state.
Development Milestones Highlighted
Khemchand Singh pointed to several infrastructure and policy milestones under the Central government's tenure. He highlighted the establishment of the country's first National Sports University in Manipur, improved railway connectivity facilitating goods movement, the partial withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) from several areas, and the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system following sustained public agitation.
The Chief Minister also noted that Prime Minister Modi had deferred the Census exercise in Manipur, taking into account public demand for the updation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) ahead of Census-2027. He framed Manipur's development as integral to the broader national vision of 'Viksit Bharat 2047', saying India cannot be considered a developed nation without the development of Manipur.
Home Minister Calls for Collective Responsibility
Manipur Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh echoed the Chief Minister's appeal, asserting that restoring peace in the state requires mutual trust and understanding among all communities. He emphasised that the government alone cannot achieve peace, and that all communities and groups must come together, set aside differences, and work collectively to resolve the issues affecting Manipur.
What Comes Next
With ethnic tensions still unresolved and the state awaiting a durable political solution, the government's emphasis on shared identity and developmental progress signals an attempt to reframe the narrative around reconciliation. Whether the call resonates across the fault lines that have divided Manipur for over two years remains to be seen.
Point of View
Kuki, and Naga communities as equal custodians of Manipur's territorial integrity is a deliberate rhetorical move, but critics would note that the same administration has faced accusations of uneven-handedness during the violence. The development scorecard — sports university, railway links, AFSPA rollback — is real, but its relevance is undercut when the state's most urgent crisis remains unresolved. The deferral of the Census and NRC update speaks to the depth of demographic anxiety in Manipur; whether that anxiety can be managed through identity politics alone is the central unanswered question.
NationPress
18 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh say about the state's 36 communities?
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh said that Manipur's 36 communities have played a significant role in safeguarding the state's territorial integrity at various stages of history. He called on all communities, including the Meitei, Kuki, and Naga, to identify themselves as Manipuris to foster unity.
What is the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan and how was it observed in Manipur?
The Seva Sankalp Abhiyan is a campaign marking 25 years of public service by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In Manipur, it was observed across all districts from 17 September to 17 October, with more than four lakh people participating across 6,122 venues, culminating in the Jan Sevak Mahakumbh event in Imphal.
Why has the Census been deferred in Manipur?
The Census exercise in Manipur has been deferred in response to public demand for the updation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before Census-2027. According to CM Khemchand Singh, Prime Minister Modi took into consideration the concerns raised by Manipur's people and postponed the Census in the state.
What development projects did the Manipur CM highlight?
The Chief Minister highlighted the establishment of India's first National Sports University in Manipur, improved railway connectivity, the partial withdrawal of AFSPA from several areas, and the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system. He framed these as part of Manipur's contribution to the 'Viksit Bharat 2047' vision.
What did Manipur Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh say about peace?
Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh said that restoring peace in Manipur requires mutual trust and understanding among all communities, and that the government alone cannot achieve it. He called on all communities and groups to set aside differences and work collectively to resolve the state's issues.
