Manipur CM Khemchand meets locals in Jiribam, assures steps to bridge trust deficit
Imphal, April 5
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand on Sunday interacted with local residents and listened to their grievances at Chandrapur village on the second day of his visit to Jiribam district.
This is a first visit since the ethnic violence broke out in Manipur in May 2023, marking a significant political and administrative outreach to the region.
The Chief Minister also announced plans for the development of the district, stressing the government's commitment to addressing local concerns and fostering harmony among communities.
Speaking to ANI, Manipur CM said, "Doesn't everyone, every community, want peace, love peace, think about peace? There is a trust deficit. So I'm here today to build up that deficit. My objective is to restore peace."
The Chief Minister said that this was his second visit to Jiribam since assuming office. Responding to a question on his earlier interaction with various communities in the district, he stated that all communities share a common desire for peace.
"Each and every community wants peace. However, there exists a trust deficit, and I have come here to help bridge that gap," he said.
Khemchand, who has been on a visit to Jiribam since the previous day, also announced plans for the development of the district.
He arrived in Jiribam at around 1:30 pm, accompanied by state BJP president A Sharda Devi and eight MLAs as part of a three-day visit to the district, located about 217 km from the state capital. The route via NH-37 passes through several Kuki-inhabited areas.
Upon his arrival, the Chief Minister was warmly received by the Jiribam District Administration and Jiribam Police.
Notably, in June 2024, former Chief Minister of Manipur Nongthombam Biren Singh had planned a similar visit to Jiribam via NH-37. However, suspected militants ambushed his advance security convoy near Kotlen in Kangpokpi district, injuring security personnel and forcing the cancellation of the trip.
— ANI
Reader Comments
It's good he's talking about a trust deficit. That's the real issue in Manipur. But one visit won't fix it. Need consistent engagement from all community leaders, not just politicians. The road via NH-37 is still very sensitive, as the article shows.
First visit since May 2023? That itself says a lot about the delayed response. While I appreciate the effort now, the people of Jiribam have suffered for too long without this direct outreach. Hope this marks a real turning point.
As someone following the situation from outside, it's heartbreaking. Every community wants peace, just as the CM said. The focus on development is crucial—jobs and infrastructure can heal many wounds. Wishing safety and success for this initiative.
The mention of the previous CM's cancelled trip due to ambush is chilling. It shows the real risks involved. Salute to the security personnel and hope the current administration's push for peace is backed by solid ground-level strategy, not just announcements.
Building trust takes time. Announcing development plans is easy. The real test is delivering on those promises and ensuring all communities feel included in the process. Jiribam needs lasting peace, not temporary political visits.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.