Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Saturday, 23 May acknowledged that the prolonged unrest in the state had severely damaged its economy, with daily wage earners and labourers bearing the heaviest burden. Speaking at the Manipur State Award for Literature, 2024 presentation ceremony in Imphal, Singh called for peace, communal harmony, and an end to bandhs and blockades that he said hurt ordinary citizens the most.

CM's Warning Against Bandhs and Agitation

Chief Minister Singh made a pointed appeal to residents to refrain from protests involving bandhs, blockades, and shutdowns, arguing that such actions disproportionately harm the poorest and most vulnerable sections of society. He cited recent incidents in which agitators vandalised iron railings installed along the median of Tiddim Road — put up for beautification and public safety — as an example of destructive activity that damages both the state's image and its already fragile economy.

Singh stressed that genuine grievances against the government should not translate into actions that ultimately punish daily wage workers and labourers struggling to make ends meet. He urged all communities to rise above differences and work collectively towards restoring Manipur's growth trajectory.

Literature Awards Conferred After Delay

The ceremony saw the conferment of three major state literary honours. The Manipur State Lifetime Achievement Award in Literature, 2024 — carrying a citation, shawl, and a cash prize of ₹4 lakh — was presented to noted writer Kangjam Ibohal Singh, popularly known as I.S. Kangjam.

The Manipur State Award for Literature, 2024, comprising a citation, shawl, and a cash award of ₹3 lakh, was conferred on Arambam Ongbi Memchoubi for her poetry collection 'Thamamba Ahing'. Writer Akoijam Jiten received the Manipur State Young Writer's Award for Literature, 2024 — with a citation, shawl, and ₹1 lakh — for his book 'Khyum Nongdam Kao'. Notably, the Lifetime Achievement and Young Writer's awards were instituted and conferred for the first time this year.

Art Minister Acknowledges Delayed Recognition

Art and Culture Minister Khuraijam Loken Singh expressed regret over the delay in presenting the awards, attributing it to the prolonged crisis that had disrupted normal government functioning across multiple sectors. He assured the literary community that the state government would continue to extend all possible support and urged writers not to feel disheartened by the delay.

The Minister noted that developmental activities across Manipur had suffered significant setbacks due to the unprecedented crisis, and said the government had been working to recover losses and restore normalcy. He appealed to citizens to cooperate under the Chief Minister's leadership to ensure peace and progress.

Context: Two to Three Years of Turmoil

Manipur has been gripped by ethnic conflict and civil unrest for over two years, a crisis that has disrupted supply chains, stalled infrastructure projects, and kept investors at bay. The Manipur State Award for Literature has been presented annually since 2008 under the Directorate of Language Planning and Implementation, but this year's ceremony was itself a casualty of the crisis — delayed well beyond its usual schedule.

With both the Chief Minister and the Art Minister using a cultural platform to make an economic and political appeal, the ceremony underscored how deeply the unrest has permeated every dimension of life in the state. Whether the appeal translates into a sustained reduction in agitation remains to be seen.