Manipur CM Khemchand Singh meets Zomi leaders in first joint visit to Imphal in 3 years
Synopsis
For the first time in three years, Zomi tribal leaders from Churachandpur travelled jointly to Imphal to meet Manipur CM Khemchand Singh — a small but symbolically charged step in a state where ethnic violence has kept communities apart since May 2023. The visit, the proposal for a Multi-Utility Hall, and the CM's peace pledge together sketch the fragile outline of a reconciliation process still very much in progress.
Key Takeaways
Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh met a 14-member Zomi delegation at Babupara, Imphal on 31 July .
It is the first time in three years that representatives of the UZO , ZCA , and Zomi Council travelled together from Churachandpur to Imphal.
The delegation submitted a proposal for a Multi-Utility Hall at Churachandpur .
Zomi tribal leader and BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte died on 21 February 2026 after injuries sustained during ethnic violence in Imphal on 4 May 2023 .
Meiteis make up roughly 53% of Manipur's population; Kuki-Zo-Zomi and Naga tribals account for approximately 40% .
Ethnic violence has largely halted movement of Kuki-Zo tribals between hill districts and the Imphal Valley since May 2023 .
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Friday, 31 July met a 14-member delegation representing the Unified Zou Organisation (UZO), the Zomi Chief Association (ZCA), and the Zomi Council (ZC) at the Chief Minister's Secretariat in Babupara, Imphal — reaffirming the state government's commitment to lasting peace, communal harmony, and the restoration of normalcy across Manipur.
The meeting carries symbolic weight: it is the first time in three years that representatives of all three Zomi tribal organisations travelled together from Churachandpur to Imphal to engage directly with the Chief Minister — a development officials and community leaders alike described as a tangible sign of improving ground conditions.
What Was Discussed
During the meeting, the Zomi delegation briefed Khemchand Singh on issues concerning the state's hill districts and expressed support for the government's ongoing peace efforts. Discussions also centred on building mutual trust between communities that have been sharply divided since ethnic violence erupted on 3 May 2023.
The delegation submitted a formal proposal requesting the construction of a Multi-Utility Hall at Churachandpur, a district predominantly inhabited by Kuki-Zo tribal communities. MLA Tongbram Robindro was also present at the meeting.
Chief Minister Khemchand Singh reiterated that his administration would continue engaging all stakeholders to achieve what he called a 'peaceful, inclusive and lasting resolution' to the prevailing situation in the state.
Community Voices
Vumsuan Naulak, Chairman of the Zomi Council, described the meeting as 'cordial and constructive,' adding that the delegation was grateful to the state government for creating opportunities for communities to work together. He expressed hope that peace would return soon so that people from all communities could 'interact freely and collectively work towards the progress of the state.'
Mary Jones, Secretary (Information and Publicity) of the Zomi Council, said that after nearly three years, visiting Imphal again was 'an encouraging sign for the restoration of normalcy.' Social worker Joseph Valte, son of the late MLA Vungzagin Valte, said the community looked forward to 'the return of peace and prosperity in the state.'
The Shadow of Vungzagin Valte
The delegation's visit is also seen through the lens of grief and resilience. Veteran Zomi tribal leader and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Vungzagin Valte — a three-time legislator from the Thanlon Assembly constituency — died at a private hospital in Gurugram on 21 February 2026. He had been undergoing prolonged medical treatment in Delhi and Gurugram after being brutally attacked during the ethnic violence in Imphal on 4 May 2023.
Manipur's Ethnic Fault Lines
Since violence broke out in May 2023, Kuki-Zo tribals residing in Manipur's hill districts have largely stopped visiting the Imphal Valley, which is predominantly inhabited by the Meitei community. The Meiteis account for roughly 53% of Manipur's population and primarily reside across five to six districts of the valley. Tribal communities — mainly the Nagas and the Kuki-Zo-Zomis — constitute approximately 40% of the state's population and inhabit the remaining 10 hill districts.
This first joint inter-community visit in three years, however modest, signals a cautious but meaningful shift — one that the state government and tribal organisations are both keen to build upon.
Point of View
Not a resolution framework. The death of MLA Vungzagin Valte — attacked in the state capital and left to seek treatment in Gurugram for nearly three years — is a reminder of how deep the rupture runs. The real test will be whether these symbolic meetings translate into restored free movement, return of displaced families, and a credible political process — none of which are yet on the table.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Zomi delegation's visit to Imphal significant?
It is the first time in three years that representatives of the Unified Zou Organisation, Zomi Chief Association, and Zomi Council travelled together from Churachandpur to Imphal to meet the Chief Minister. Since ethnic violence erupted in Manipur in May 2023, Kuki-Zo tribals have largely stopped visiting the Imphal Valley, making this joint visit a notable signal of improving conditions.
What did the Zomi organisations request from the Manipur government?
The delegation submitted a formal proposal seeking the construction of a Multi-Utility Hall at Churachandpur, a district predominantly inhabited by Kuki-Zo tribal communities. They also briefed CM Khemchand Singh on issues affecting the hill districts and expressed support for the government's peace efforts.
Who was Vungzagin Valte and why is he mentioned in this context?
Vungzagin Valte was a three-time BJP MLA from the Thanlon Assembly constituency and a veteran Zomi tribal leader. He was brutally attacked during ethnic violence in Imphal on 4 May 2023 and died on 21 February 2026 at a hospital in Gurugram after prolonged treatment. His son, social worker Joseph Valte, was part of the delegation that met the Chief Minister.
What is the ethnic composition at the heart of the Manipur conflict?
The Meitei community accounts for approximately 53% of Manipur's population and primarily resides in the Imphal Valley across five to six districts. Tribal communities — mainly the Nagas and Kuki-Zo-Zomis — constitute around 40% of the population and inhabit the remaining 10 hill districts. Tensions between these groups have driven the ongoing conflict since May 2023.
What did CM Khemchand Singh commit to at the meeting?
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh reaffirmed his government's commitment to restoring lasting peace, strengthening communal harmony, and creating conditions for normalcy. He said the government would continue engaging all stakeholders to achieve a peaceful, inclusive, and lasting resolution to the prevailing situation.
