Manipur CM calls on Meiteis to be 'big brother' in ending 3-community ethnic crisis
Synopsis
Manipur's Chief Minister has publicly acknowledged that the state's ethnic crisis has grown from a two-community conflict into a three-community one — and is now asking the Meitei majority to lead the way out. The appeal, made at a gathering of the state's top artistes, marks a notable shift: from government crisis response to community-driven reconciliation, with culture positioned as the bridge.
Key Takeaways
Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh on 19 August urged the Meitei community to act as 'big brother' to help end the ethnic conflict.
He disclosed the crisis has evolved from a two-community conflict into one involving three communities .
CM recalled how MLA Letzamang Haokip helped save 120 Meitei labourers in Churachandpur during the violence, citing it as proof of inter-community solidarity.
Jiribam district , bordering Assam, has reportedly returned to normalcy with communities living peacefully.
The government reaffirmed support for NRC implementation in Manipur.
Prominent artistes, including Guru Rewben Mashangva and Chanam Lilabati , pledged to use their platforms for peace-building and youth outreach.
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Wednesday, 19 August urged the majority Meitei community to assume the role of a 'big brother and big sister' and lead efforts to resolve the state's prolonged ethnic conflict. Speaking at a gathering of prominent artistes at the Chief Minister's residence in Babupara, Imphal, he disclosed that the crisis — which originally erupted between two communities — has since expanded into a conflict involving three communities.
How the Conflict Has Evolved
Khemchand Singh underscored a significant shift in the nature of the violence, noting that what began as a two-community confrontation has grown more complex with the entry of a third community. He stressed that blaming an entire community for the actions of a few individuals is 'unethical', and called for restoring trust and breaking down the barriers that the crisis has erected between communities.
The Chief Minister recalled a telling episode from the early phase of the violence: when he was still a Cabinet Minister, he had personally appealed to Letzamang Haokip, a Member of the Legislative Assembly, to help save the lives of 120 Meitei labourers stranded in Churachandpur District. Haokip, he said, responded promptly — a moment Khemchand Singh cited as proof that inter-community solidarity remains possible.
Signs of Normalcy and the NRC Question
Offering a rare note of optimism, the Chief Minister pointed to Jiribam district — which borders southern Assam — as a success story, saying all communities there are now living peacefully without mutual distrust. He also reaffirmed the government's support for implementing the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur, and acknowledged the artistes for raising the issue directly with the administration.
Artistes as Peace Ambassadors
The gathering was organised by Art and Culture and Tourism Minister Khuraijam Loken Singh, who said the government stands ready to support artistes and urged them to channel their work toward promoting unity. The meeting was attended by Secretary Art and Culture Naorem Praveen Singh and Advisor (Media) to the Chief Minister Oinam Sunil Singh, among others.
Several prominent voices from Manipur's creative community spoke at the event. Stage play artiste Shougrakpam Hemanta called for reviving age-old inter-community bonds and proposed that a stage play titled 'Ei Manipuri Ni (I am Manipuri)' be produced. Actor Gokul Athokpam offered to lead cultural outreach along National Highway 2 to engage different communities, but asked the government to ensure adequate security for such visits. Singer Konthoujam Bobin said artistes must stay united irrespective of community affiliation. Tangkhul Naga folk artiste Guru Rewben Mashangva argued that collective self-identification as Manipuris — without distinction — is the foundation of any lasting peace. Actress Chanam Lilabati urged greater use of social media to draw younger generations into peace-building efforts.
What Comes Next
The Chief Minister's appeal signals a deliberate shift in the state government's messaging — from crisis management to community-led reconciliation. Whether Manipur's art community can translate this goodwill into tangible outreach across conflict-affected areas will be closely watched. The government's willingness to provide subsidised venues for concerts and stage plays — a request raised by Athokpam — could be an early test of that commitment.
Point of View
To critics, as deflecting accountability from governance failures that allowed the crisis to deepen. The expansion from a two-community to a three-community conflict — acknowledged publicly for the first time by the CM — raises harder questions about law enforcement and state capacity that a cultural outreach meeting cannot answer. Jiribam's reported return to normalcy is welcome, but it is one district against a backdrop of over two years of displacement and violence. The NRC commitment, meanwhile, is a political signal as much as a policy one — its implementation timeline and community impact remain unspecified.
NationPress
20 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh say about the ethnic conflict?
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh said the ethnic conflict in Manipur, which initially involved two communities, has now expanded to include three communities. He urged the majority Meitei community to take on the role of 'big brother and big sister' and lead reconciliation efforts.
Why did the Manipur CM meet artistes on 19 August?
The meeting, organised by Art and Culture Minister Khuraijam Loken Singh, aimed to enlist Manipur's creative community in disseminating messages of peace and harmony across the state. Artistes proposed initiatives including stage plays, highway outreach tours, and social media campaigns targeting youth.
What is the significance of the Churachandpur episode the CM mentioned?
The CM recalled that during the ethnic violence, he had asked MLA Letzamang Haokip to help save 120 Meitei labourers in Churachandpur District, and Haokip responded positively. He cited this as evidence that individuals from different communities can act in solidarity, and argued it is wrong to blame an entire community for the actions of a few.
Which areas of Manipur have returned to normalcy?
Chief Minister Khemchand Singh stated that Jiribam district, which adjoins southern Assam, has returned to normalcy, with all communities living peacefully and without mutual distrust.
What is the government's position on NRC implementation in Manipur?
The Chief Minister reaffirmed that the Manipur government supports the implementation of the National Register of Citizens in the state. He also acknowledged the artistes for raising the issue directly with the government, though no specific timeline for NRC implementation was announced.
