Manipur CM calls for urgent firearms disarmament, says peace is the only path forward
Synopsis
Manipur's Chief Minister has put disarmament at the centre of the state's peace agenda — but the ground reality tells a different story. With Kuki-Naga clashes ongoing since February, three church leaders killed, and over 40 people recently taken hostage, Singh's appeal for collective reconciliation faces its stiffest test yet in Ukhrul and beyond.
Key Takeaways
Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh on 20 May called disarming all firearms across the state an urgent necessity.
He met a delegation from Sinakeithei Village Authority , Ukhrul district , representing Tangkhul Naga tribals.
The delegation demanded deployment of Manipur Rifles , IRB units, and more manpower at Sinakeithei police station.
Three Baptist church leaders were killed and four others injured in Kangpokpi district on 13 May ; over 40 people were subsequently taken hostage.
30 hostages from Kuki and Naga communities were released on 14–15 May following intervention by authorities and civil society groups.
Kuki-Naga clashes have continued across Ukhrul , Kangpokpi , and Senapati districts since February 2025 .
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Wednesday, 20 May declared that disarming all firearms across the state is an urgent necessity, asserting that peace remains the only viable solution to the ongoing crisis in the violence-hit northeastern state. The remarks came during a meeting with a delegation from the Sinakeithei Village Authority in Ukhrul district, representing Tangkhul Naga tribals.
What the Chief Minister Said
'There are no other options except peace,' CM Singh told the delegation, stressing the need for collective efforts from all communities to end violence and restore harmony. He invoked the example of late South African leader Nelson Mandela, who guided his country through reconciliation despite prolonged racial conflict, as a model for Manipur's own path forward.
Singh also emphasised the state government's focus on generating employment in non-government sectors through skill development training for youth — framing constructive livelihood opportunities as a key instrument in steering young people away from violence.
Demands from the Tangkhul Naga Delegation
The delegation, accompanied by Ukhrul constituency MLA Ram Muivah of the Naga People's Front (NPF) — an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government — placed a series of urgent demands before the Chief Minister. These included deployment of Manipur Rifles personnel and units of the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) in Sinakeithei village, adequate manpower for the Sinakeithei police station, and proper functioning of the Sub-Divisional Collector's office at Sinakeithei.
The delegation also sought security cover along the road connecting Mahadev and Sinakeithei village, improved healthcare facilities, developmental initiatives, and humanitarian assistance including essential commodity supply for affected residents. Villagers cited repeated attacks by armed men on Sinakeithei in recent months as having created a climate of constant fear and insecurity.
Security Measures Already in Place
The delegation acknowledged and expressed gratitude for the state government's deployment of two companies of the Border Security Force (BSF) in the Sinakeithei area. They also appreciated the construction of an inter-village road connecting Sinakeithei with the Ukhrul district headquarters and the sanctioning of a bailey bridge over the Ihang river.
Broader Violence: Kuki-Naga Clashes Continue
The meeting occurred against the backdrop of sustained clashes and tensions between Kuki and Naga groups in parts of Ukhrul, Kangpokpi, and Senapati districts since February 2025. The situation worsened following the killing of three Baptist church leaders and injuries to four others in Kangpokpi district on 13 May, after which more than 40 people from both communities were taken hostage by various groups in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts.
According to officials, 30 of those held were released on 14 and 15 May following sustained efforts by authorities, community leaders, and civil society organisations. The remaining hostages and the underlying tensions between the two communities remain unresolved.
As the state government presses for disarmament and dialogue, the pace of security deployments and community-level reconciliation efforts will determine whether Manipur can break out of its cycle of ethnic conflict.
Point of View
But the structural conditions are starkly different — Manipur's ethnic fault lines run between multiple armed communities with competing territorial claims, not a single liberation movement seeking rights. The disarmament call, while morally coherent, has been made before without a credible enforcement mechanism. What the Sinakeithei delegation's demands reveal is that even communities broadly aligned with the state government do not feel secure — a damning signal about how far the administration's writ actually runs in Ukhrul's hinterland. The hostage episode involving 40 civilians and the killing of church leaders points to a dangerous new phase where religious institutions are no longer neutral ground.
NationPress
10 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh say about firearms disarmament?
Chief Minister Singh declared on 20 May that disarming all firearms across Manipur is an urgent necessity to restore peace and normalcy. He told a Tangkhul Naga delegation that 'there are no other options except peace' and called on community leaders and elders to persuade youth to abandon violence.
Who are the Tangkhul Naga delegation and what did they demand?
The delegation represented the Sinakeithei Village Authority in Ukhrul district and was accompanied by NPF MLA Ram Muivah. They demanded deployment of Manipur Rifles and IRB units in Sinakeithei, more manpower for the local police station, road security cover, improved healthcare, and humanitarian aid for residents affected by repeated armed attacks.
What triggered the recent escalation in Manipur's Kuki-Naga conflict?
Kuki-Naga clashes have been ongoing since February 2025 in Ukhrul, Kangpokpi, and Senapati districts. The situation intensified after three Baptist church leaders were killed and four others were injured in Kangpokpi district on 13 May, following which over 40 people from both communities were taken hostage.
How many hostages were released and when?
According to officials, 30 of the more than 40 hostages from the Kuki and Naga communities were released on 14 and 15 May following efforts by authorities, community leaders, and civil society organisations.
What security measures has the state government already deployed in Sinakeithei?
The state government has deployed two companies of the Border Security Force (BSF) in the Sinakeithei area. It has also constructed an inter-village road connecting Sinakeithei to the Ukhrul district headquarters and sanctioned a bailey bridge over the Ihang river.
