Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Saturday, 26 September 2026, declared that restoring peace is an absolute prerequisite for economic development, warning that the ongoing ethnic crisis has already cost the state approximately ₹1,300 crore in GST collections over the past three years. Speaking at the Silver Jubilee Celebration of Don Bosco College at Maram in Senapati district, Singh made an emphatic case for unity among Manipur's diverse communities as the only viable path forward.

The Economic Cost of Conflict

Chief Minister Singh did not mince words about the fiscal damage wrought by the ethnic violence that has gripped Manipur since 2023. He said the economic disruption has severely hampered development and has disproportionately hurt people living below the poverty line. “How can we develop if the State’s economy is affected? The only way to build a developed Manipur and a stronger economy is to restore peace,” he said. The ₹1,300 crore shortfall in GST revenue represents a significant blow for a state that is heavily reliant on central transfers and whose development budget is already stretched.

Unity Among 36 Communities

Drawing on Manipur’s deep historical roots, Singh reminded the gathering that the state has been sustained for over 2,000 years through the collective contributions of its 36 communities. He stressed that if the people remain divided, the collective strength of the state will erode. Singh, who has previously argued that development can occur only when all communities progress together, attributed part of the current crisis to misunderstandings and communication gaps between communities. He urged citizens to uphold values of humanity, honesty, and mutual respect — lessons he said were reinforced during his own experiences living and travelling abroad.

What the Government Promised the College

Addressing a memorandum submitted by Don Bosco College, the Chief Minister assured that the concerns raised would be examined by the government. He specifically committed to discussing the shortage of teaching staff with the Education Department and announced that the proposed Science Block-cum-Administrative Block of the college would be taken up under the College Fagathansi Mission. Singh also underscored the broader purpose of education — not merely to confer degrees, but to build a responsible and developed society.

Environment and Responsible Development

Singh extended his remarks to environmental stewardship, urging residents to protect Manipur’s natural resources and forests. He appealed that for every tree felled, at least two or three saplings should be planted in its place, emphasising that economic development must be pursued hand in hand with ecological responsibility.

Event Highlights

The Silver Jubilee celebration, held under the theme ‘Heritage to Horizons’, marked 25 years of Don Bosco College’s journey and featured cultural performances and traditional presentations. The Chief Minister received a warm reception from students, faculty, alumni, local leaders, and members of the public on his arrival. Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho and other dignitaries were also present at the event. The occasion served as both a commemorative milestone and a platform for the state government to address ground-level concerns in a district that sits at the heart of Manipur’s complex ethnic geography.

With peace remaining elusive and economic pressures mounting, Singh’s remarks signal that the Manipur government is increasingly framing the conflict not just as a law-and-order challenge, but as an existential threat to the state’s development trajectory.