Manipur CM Khemchand Singh: Peace must precede development in strife-torn state
Synopsis
Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh met a Hmar tribal delegation on 30 September and declared peace a prerequisite for development — a pointed signal in a state still reeling from over a year of ethnic conflict. The delegation's demands, ranging from a National Highway upgrade to banking access in Pherzawl, lay bare how deeply the unrest has set back basic governance in the state's tribal heartland.
Key Takeaways
Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh met a Hmar tribal community delegation on 30 September in Imphal .
The CM stressed that peace and stability must be restored before development and administrative processes can move forward.
The delegation sought upgrade of the Jiribam–Tipaimukh road to National Highway status, linking NH-37 and NH-2 .
Demands also included a power line from Sipuikaun Power Station to Parbung , banking facilities, and establishment of the Pherzawl Autonomous District Council (ADC) .
A Meitei–Hmar peace initiative held in Jiribam in April has reportedly helped maintain calm between the two communities.
Manipur has been gripped by ethnic conflict since May 2023 , severely disrupting governance in hill districts.
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Wednesday, 30 September underscored that restoring peace and stability was a prerequisite for advancing development and administrative processes in the state, making the remarks while meeting a delegation from the Hmar tribal community at the Chief Minister's Bungalow in Imphal. The Chief Minister assured the delegation that all issues raised would be examined and appropriate action taken.
Who Called On the Chief Minister
Tipaimukh Assembly Constituency MLA Ngursanglur Sanate led the delegation, which comprised representatives of various Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) from the tribal-inhabited Pherzawl district. The groups included members of the Indigenous Tribes Advocacy Committee (ITAC) from Pherzawl and Jiribam, the Hmar Inpui Hmarram Region, and the Hmar Inpui Vangai Region, among others. Pherzawl district shares inter-state borders with Assam and Mizoram and is predominantly inhabited by the Hmar community.
Key Demands Placed Before the Government
MLA Sanate briefed the Chief Minister on three broad areas of concern — road connectivity, power supply, and banking access. On connectivity, the delegation sought the upgrade of the Jiribam–Tipaimukh road, currently a district road, to National Highway status. They argued the route would serve as a critical link between National Highway-37 and NH-2, improving access between Jiribam, Tipaimukh, and surrounding areas.
On power, the delegation highlighted the need for a proposed electricity line from Sipuikaun Power Station to Parbung, along with extensions to other underserved localities. The absence of banking facilities in the region was also flagged as a pressing hardship for residents. Additionally, the delegation conveyed concerns and aspirations regarding the establishment of the Pherzawl Autonomous District Council (ADC).
Peace Initiative That Set the Context
The meeting takes place against the backdrop of Manipur's prolonged ethnic tensions. Notably, a peace initiative involving representatives of the Meitei and Hmar communities was held in Jiribam district in April, in the presence of Chief Minister Khemchand Singh. According to official accounts, the initiative has contributed to maintaining harmony between the two communities, who have reportedly continued to coexist peacefully since then.
This comes amid a broader crisis in Manipur, where ethnic conflict — primarily between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities — has persisted since May 2023, displacing tens of thousands and severely disrupting governance and public services across the state's hill districts.
What Happens Next
The Chief Minister's assurance that the delegation's grievances would be 'looked into' stops short of a firm timeline or commitment. The demands — particularly National Highway status for the Jiribam–Tipaimukh road and the Pherzawl ADC — involve multi-departmental and, in the case of the highway, central government processes. How swiftly the state acts on these requests will be closely watched by tribal communities in the region.
Point of View
Effectively deferring accountability on infrastructure and governance deficits in Pherzawl. The demands placed by the Hmar delegation — roads, electricity, banking — are not extraordinary asks; they are baseline public goods that should exist regardless of the conflict. The fact that they do not underlines how comprehensively ethnic violence has hollowed out state delivery in Manipur's tribal belt. The Jiribam peace initiative is a genuine positive signal, but one localised meeting cannot substitute for a durable political settlement that addresses the root causes of the Meitei-Kuki-Zo crisis, which the state and Centre have yet to credibly broker.
NationPress
30 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh say at the Hmar delegation meeting?
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh told the Hmar tribal delegation on 30 September that peace and stability must be restored first before development and administrative processes can advance in Manipur. He assured the delegation that their grievances would be examined and necessary action taken.
What are the main demands of the Hmar tribal delegation?
The delegation sought upgrade of the Jiribam–Tipaimukh road to National Highway status, a power line connection from Sipuikaun Power Station to Parbung, establishment of banking facilities in Pherzawl, and progress on the Pherzawl Autonomous District Council (ADC).
Why is the Jiribam–Tipaimukh road upgrade significant?
The road, currently a district road, would serve as a key link between National Highway-37 and NH-2 if upgraded, significantly improving connectivity between Jiribam, Tipaimukh, and surrounding tribal areas in Pherzawl district.
What is the status of peace between the Meitei and Hmar communities in Manipur?
A peace initiative involving Meitei and Hmar community representatives was held in Jiribam district in April, in the presence of CM Khemchand Singh. According to official accounts, the two communities have reportedly continued to coexist peacefully since then.
How long has Manipur been affected by ethnic conflict?
Manipur has been experiencing ethnic conflict primarily between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since May 2023, displacing tens of thousands and severely disrupting governance and public services across hill districts, including Pherzawl.
