Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Friday, 28 August called for sustained, collective action by all sections of society to overcome the deep trust deficit among communities and restore lasting peace in the violence-scarred state. Addressing a gathering in Imphal, he described the restoration of peace as the foremost priority of his government and pledged that justice would be delivered to victims of the ethnic conflict that has gripped Manipur since May 2023.

What the Chief Minister Said

Khemchand Singh was speaking at a programme titled 'Guest Lecture on Manipur Situation: Prevailing Trust Deficit and the Path Towards Trust Building', organised by the Assam Rifles at the Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) Auditorium, Palace Compound, Imphal. He recalled that before the outbreak of ethnic violence on 3 May 2023, he had regularly visited hill areas and witnessed an atmosphere of peace, harmony and cooperation among communities — a reality that the violence fundamentally dismantled.

The Chief Minister stressed that the trust deficit cannot be bridged through rhetoric alone. 'It requires sustained interaction, dialogue and understanding among communities,' he said, adding that all communities, civil society organisations, political leaders and other stakeholders must cooperate collectively towards this goal.

Ground-Level Signs of Hope

Drawing from his visits to relief camps and hill districts, Khemchand Singh noted that the common desire among displaced people across communities was simply to live in peace and return home. He cited a specific instance from Jiribam district, where members of the Meitei, Kuki, Hmar and Paite communities came together and shared a meal — a gesture he described as evidence that ordinary people continue to desire harmonious coexistence.

He also acknowledged that community members had helped each other save lives during the worst phases of the conflict, pointing to shared humanity beneath the political fractures.

Role of Security Forces

The Chief Minister acknowledged the contributions of the state Police, Assam Rifles and other security forces in protecting lives during the crisis. He noted that the Assam Rifles assisted in the evacuation of 47,000 people to safer locations during the ethnic conflict.

Lieutenant General Vikas Lakhera, Director General of the Assam Rifles, echoed this view, stating that the Assam Rifles has always been a friend of the people of the Northeast. He emphasised, however, that security forces alone cannot address the trust deficit — a collective and sustained effort from all communities and stakeholders is indispensable.

Key Voices at the Event

The programme was attended by Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel, Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, retired Lt Gen K. Himalay Singh, guest speaker Sudeep Chakravarti, retired IAS officer R.K. Nimai, retired IPS officer Thangjam Brojen Singh, and senior journalist Pradip Phanjoubam, among other senior officers and dignitaries.

What Comes Next

Khemchand Singh warned that certain individuals and groups seeking to spread hatred and conflict must be identified and held accountable. He urged stakeholders not to frame the crisis as a conflict between communities as a whole, but to isolate those perpetuating violence. With the state government, security establishment and civil society now publicly aligned on the need for dialogue, the next test will be translating these commitments into verifiable steps toward normalcy.