UKHRUL: Former Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (RD&PR), Yumnam Khemchand Singh, visited Ukhrul district on Monday with a mission to help restore peace in the state.
He became the first elected representative from the Meitei community to visit the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Relief Camp at Litan Sareikhong in Ukhrul district since the outbreak of the conflict on May 3, 2023.
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The MLA interacted with members of the Kuki community at Litan and visited the IDP Relief Camp at Litan Sareikhong.
“The ongoing conflict in Manipur and restrictions on movement has hampered many developmental activities and the growth of our future has been affected,” he said. Expressing concern for the younger generation, he added, “Why should we not think about the younger generation?”
“With the onset of Christmas, it is time for all communities to come together and work towards restoring peace in Manipur. We should forgive and forget one another and strive to bring peace and equal development to the state,” stated Yumnam Khemchand Singh.
Expressing gratitude, he said, “I extend my sincere thanks to my Tangkhul brothers and sisters for their efforts in trying to bridge the gap between the various communities in Manipur during this challenging time.”
During the visit, MLA Yumnam Khemchand Singh and his team also interacted with women vendors and shared tea at a tea stall run by a Kuki family at Litan.
Nehpu Khongsai of S. Bongjang Village, Island Block, one of the 505 inmates at the Litan Sareikhong IDP Relief Camp, expressed his gratitude to the MLA for visiting the camp and providing financial assistance as a Christmas gift. “It has been almost three years since we took shelter at the Litan Sareikhong IDP Camp. I appeal to the government, we are weary and long for normalcy to return so that we can go back home at the earliest,” he said.
Yumnam Khemchand Singh was accompanied by Hopingson A. Shimray, BJP candidate from 43-Phungyar Assembly Constituency; Mark Luithing, former Caretaker Chairman of the Autonomous District Council (ADC), Ukhrul; and BJP workers and leaders from Ukhrul and Phungyar constituencies.
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Hopingson A. Shimray lauded the peace initiative undertaken by the MLA, describing the visit as the realization of a long-cherished dream and vision of Yumnam Khemchand Singh to restore peace in the state. “Somewhere we have to start; there has to be a beginning. With that in mind, and with the onset of Christmas, we have taken this opportunity to spread the message of love and unity among the different communities of Manipur,” he added.
The team later left for Kamjong district after having breakfast at Litan.