Meitei MLA walks into Kuki villages seeking peace

A Meitei MLA visited Kuki villages in Manipur, marking a significant step towards peace. Yumnam Khemchand Singh interacted with villagers and those in relief camps. He emphasized the need for harmony and prioritizing children's future. This visit offers a glimmer of hope for reconciliation in the state. It is a remarkable gesture amid ongoing tensions.

Guwahati: For the first time since ethnic violence engulfed Manipur in May 2023, a Meitei MLA and former rural development minister, Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Monday travelled to two Kuki villages in hill districts in a confidence building measure.

Visiting Litan, a Kuki hamlet in Ukhrul district which borders Myanmar, the BJP leader interacted with Kuki villagers and inquired about their life and hardship that they faced in the past two-and-a-half years.

He also visited a Kuki relief camp at Litan Sareikhong Baptist Church and interacted with the inmates who fled their homes during the violence two years ago. "With the coming of Christmas, we all should pray for the return of peace in the state," Yumnam said.

Yumnam, a sportsman-turned-politician, has also earlier served as the Speaker of Manipur assembly.

Consoling the villagers, he told them that the return of peace should be the primary target of all communities. Yumnam reminded the 173 Kuki inmates at the relief camp that conflict exists in every part of the world, but it should not be allowed to hinder progress and development of the state. "There are conflicts in different countries, among different communities, across the world. But we should learn to live in harmony despite the existing differences. There should not be any hindrance in visiting each other's villages," Yumnam added.

He further said, "We should not allow this conflict to affect the future of our children. We, the elders, may have differences, but we should think about our children's future."

When Yumnam was the rural development minister, he had brought a package for construction of 7,000 houses from the Centre for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). He had also earlier organised a relief camp for IDPs from Meitei community at Manipur College in Imphal for over seven months. He helped the inmates to return to their houses in Serou and Sugunu villages.

Hopingson Shimray, state BJP vice-president and prominent Tangkhul Naga leader, who accompanied Yumnam during the visit, said that it was a remarkable gesture by Yumnam to travel to Kuki villages when everyone is reluctant to venture to another community's area. He said that Yumnam is the first BJP Meitei MLA to step into a Kuki relief camp.
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Source: EconomicTimes
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