Manipur CM Khemchand Singh reviews Senapati projects, approves Rikhruri Dam
Synopsis
Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh's tour of Naga-dominated Senapati on 8 July produced a headline commitment: formal approval of the Rikhruri Multipurpose Dam, set to bring drinking water to 27 villages. The visit also exposed a two-year funding gap in state horticulture — a detail that complicates the government's balanced-development narrative.
Key Takeaways
Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh toured Senapati district on 8 July , meeting Naga civil society organisations and residents.
The state government has formally approved the Rikhruri Multipurpose Dam , which will supply drinking water to 27 surrounding villages .
Commissioner of Horticulture T.N.
Panmei disclosed that the horticulture department had not received adequate funding for two years , reducing farm output at the Mao potato farm.
A Mao Students' Union proposal for a Multipurpose Skill Training, Trade and Youth Activity Centre will be referred to the state Cabinet .
The CM held a separate meeting with the United Naga Council (UNC) at the Mini Secretariat Complex in Senapati town.
The visit is part of a sustained government drive to tour Meitei-, Kuki-Zo-, and Naga-inhabited districts to project balanced development.
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Wednesday, 8 July undertook a wide-ranging tour of Senapati district — a Naga-dominated hill region — to review ongoing development projects, inspect key infrastructure, and engage directly with civil society organisations and residents. The visit underscores the state government's stated commitment to balanced development across both the Imphal Valley and the hill districts amid efforts to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur.
Context: Hill-Valley Outreach Drive
Over the past several months, Chief Minister Khemchand Singh has undertaken extensive tours spanning Meitei-, Kuki-Zo-, and Naga-inhabited districts as part of a deliberate government strategy to demonstrate equitable attention to all communities. Wednesday's visit to Senapati is the latest in this series, reflecting the political sensitivity of maintaining trust across ethnic lines in a state that has witnessed prolonged communal tensions.
He was accompanied throughout the day by Deputy Chief Minister and senior Naga leader Losii Dikho, MLAs Robindro Singh, Sheikh Noorul Hassan, and J. Kumo Sha, along with senior officials including Commissioner (Home) N. Ashok Kumar and Senapati Deputy Commissioner Dharun Kumar S.
Horticulture Sector: Funding Gap Flagged
At a government potato farm in Mao, the chief minister was briefed by Commissioner of Horticulture T.N. Panmei, who disclosed that the department had not received adequate funding over the past two years, causing a measurable decline in farm output. Khemchand Singh acknowledged Mao's favourable climatic conditions, noting the region's potential not just for potato cultivation but also for floriculture and a broad range of horticultural crops. He assured residents that the government would consult all stakeholders to address local grievances.
Key Announcements: Rikhruri Dam Approved
At a reception at the ACI Auditorium in Punanamei village, hosted by the Mao Council, the Mao Students' Union, and landowners of the government potato farm, the chief minister made a significant announcement: the state government has formally approved construction of the Rikhruri Multipurpose Dam. The project is expected to supply drinking water to 27 surrounding villages and substantially improve water availability across the region.
Responding to a memorandum from the Mao Students' Union seeking a Multipurpose Skill Training, Trade and Youth Activity Centre at Mao, Khemchand Singh said the proposal would be placed before the state Cabinet for consideration. The Mao Council and the Poumai Naga Union (PNU) also submitted separate memorandums outlining developmental demands and public concerns.
United Naga Council Meeting
The chief minister met representatives of the United Naga Council (UNC) at the Conference Hall of the Mini Secretariat Complex in Senapati town, where discussions covered a range of issues concerning the district. The UNC is one of the principal apex bodies representing Naga civil society in Manipur, and its engagement with the state government carries significance given the broader political context of Naga peace negotiations.
What's Next
The Rikhruri Dam approval and the Cabinet referral for the skill centre proposal represent concrete follow-through commitments from Wednesday's tour. Residents and civil society bodies will watch whether these translate into funded project timelines. The government's hill-district outreach is expected to continue, with similar visits to other communities reportedly planned in the coming weeks.
Point of View
Flagged openly by a senior official during the tour itself, is an uncomfortable data point: the government is promising fresh projects in a district where existing department budgets reportedly ran dry for two years. The Rikhruri Dam approval is a genuine deliverable, but the credibility test will be whether groundbreaking follows within a measurable timeframe. Manipur's hill districts have seen promises accumulate faster than infrastructure.
NationPress
8 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Rikhruri Multipurpose Dam approved by Manipur CM Khemchand Singh?
The Rikhruri Multipurpose Dam is a major infrastructure project formally approved by the Manipur state government during CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh's visit to Senapati on 8 July. It is designed to supply drinking water to 27 surrounding villages and significantly improve water availability in the Mao area of Senapati district.
Why did Manipur CM visit Senapati district?
CM Khemchand Singh visited Senapati to review ongoing development projects, inspect the government potato farm in Mao, and engage with Naga civil society organisations including the United Naga Council and the Mao Council. The visit is part of a broader government drive to undertake tours across Meitei-, Kuki-Zo-, and Naga-inhabited districts to demonstrate balanced development.
What funding issues were raised at the Mao potato farm?
Commissioner of Horticulture T.N. Panmei informed the chief minister that the horticulture department had not received adequate funding over the past two years, causing a decline in production at the government potato farm in Mao. CM Khemchand Singh assured residents that the government would consult stakeholders to address these concerns.
What did the Mao Students' Union request from the chief minister?
The Mao Students' Union submitted a memorandum seeking the establishment of a Multipurpose Skill Training, Trade and Youth Activity Centre at Mao. CM Khemchand Singh responded by saying the proposal would be placed before the state Cabinet for consideration.
Who accompanied Manipur CM Khemchand Singh during the Senapati visit?
The chief minister was accompanied by Deputy CM and senior Naga leader Losii Dikho, MLAs Robindro Singh, Sheikh Noorul Hassan, and J. Kumo Sha, along with senior officials including Commissioner (Home) N. Ashok Kumar, Commissioner of Horticulture T.N. Panmei, and Senapati Deputy Commissioner Dharun Kumar S.
