IMPHAL/UKHRUL, October 24: Manipur chief minister Yumnam Khemchand and titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba on Saturday inaugurated the Hills Tribal Chiefs’ Guest House at the Palace Compound in Imphal, ahead of Mera Hou Chongba 2026 on October 26.
The facility is intended to provide accommodation for hill chiefs and delegates visiting Imphal for the annual festival, which brings together representatives from the hill and valley communities.
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Speaking at the inauguration, Khemchand said the guest house would help address accommodation difficulties faced by people from the hill areas visiting the state capital.
He highlighted the historical relationship between the Meitei king and the hill communities, recalling the tradition of the king visiting the hills regularly. He also stressed the importance of unity and mutual understanding among Manipur’s 36 communities, expressing hope that the facility would strengthen longstanding bonds between the hill and valley populations.
Titular king Sanajaoba said hill chiefs and cultural troupes from different parts of Manipur had begun arriving in Imphal to participate in Mera Hou Chongba, continuing the tradition associated with the festival.
He said the lack of adequate accommodation had posed difficulties for visiting delegates in previous years and expressed hope that the new facility would ease the problem.
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Recalling the project’s history, Sanajaoba said construction began in 2020 with financial assistance from the North Eastern Council. He acknowledged former chief minister N. Biren Singh for initiating the project and credited the present government with helping ensure its completion.
Thanga Assembly Constituency MLA Tongbram Robindro, members of the State Level Organising Committee for Mera Hou Chongba 2026, hill chiefs and representatives of cultural troupes attended the inauguration.
Mera Hou Chongba, an annual festival observed on October 26, traditionally seeks to foster ties between Manipur’s hill and valley communities through cultural participation and customary exchanges.
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