Manipur CM renews appeal for peace; meets actor Randeep Hooda
Imphal, July 16
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Thursday once again appealed to people from all communities to extend their wholehearted support to the ongoing peace process to help restore lasting peace, harmony, and mutual trust across the state.
The Chief Minister appealed while meeting renowned actor, filmmaker, and producer Randeep Hooda and his wife, noted actress and entrepreneur Linthoingambi (Lin) Laishram, at the Chief Minister's Bungalow in Babupara, Imphal, on Thursday evening.
During the interaction, Randeep Hooda congratulated Khemchand Singh on assuming office as the Chief Minister despite the difficult law and order situation prevailing in Manipur and expressed confidence in the state's return to normalcy.
Responding to Hooda's remarks, the Chief Minister acknowledged the enormous challenges of taking charge during a period marked by prolonged unrest but said he remains optimistic that peace and normalcy would soon be restored through sustained efforts and cooperation from all sections of society.
Recalling his recent peace initiative in the Jiribam district, Khemchand Singh said that the trust deficit among different communities in the district has been significantly reduced and that people have once again started living together peacefully.
The Chief Minister said the unprecedented crisis that engulfed the state had resulted in the tragic loss of precious lives and extensive property damage, describing the situation as deeply painful and unfortunate.
He said the state government is making every possible effort to safeguard the lives and interests of the people and is committed to ensuring the safe rehabilitation and restoration of normal life across the affected areas.
Reiterating his appeal, Khemchand Singh urged members of all communities to actively support the peace process so that peace, harmony, and a cohesive social environment could be restored throughout Manipur.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister and the visiting guests also discussed Manipur's rich cultural heritage and the importance of promoting peace and unity through art, cinema and public engagement.
Randeep Hooda is widely known for producing, directing, and portraying the lead role in Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, a biographical film based on the life of freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. The actor has also earned international recognition for his performance in the Hollywood action thriller Extraction.
Linthoingambi (Lin) Laishram, a native of Manipur, is a noted actress, model, entrepreneur and former national‑level archer. She has appeared in several Hindi films and web series and is widely recognised for promoting Manipur's cultural heritage, traditions and handloom products at national and international platforms.
Randeep Hooda and Lin Laishram were married in November 2023 in a traditional Meitei wedding ceremony in Imphal and are now blessed with a daughter.
Following the meeting, Chief Minister Khemchand Singh and his wife shared a traditional khichri meal with the star couple during a warm, informal interaction.
Later, Randeep Hooda issued a heartfelt appeal to the people of Manipur, urging all communities to rise above their differences, unite as one human family and embrace the values of peace, harmony, compassion and mutual understanding for a brighter future for the state.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Randeep Hooda and Lin Laishram visiting Manipur and sharing a traditional meal with the CM is a beautiful gesture. Lin comes from Manipur so she understands the pain of her people intimately. Hope their presence reminds everyone that peace is possible without forgetting the past. Manipur needs healing, not headlines.
As an outsider, it's encouraging to see a state leader reaching across communities and using soft diplomacy through art and cinema. The khichri meal is such an Indian moment — food brings everyone together. That said, I hope this isn't just optics. The trust deficit is real, and it takes more than one dinner to fix it.
So nice to see a Manipuri daughter like Lin Laishram using her platform for peace! She's always been proud of her heritage and handloom. Honestly, we need more local voices in these conversations. CM sahab's Jiribam initiative sounds promising, but let's see if the same trust-building happens in other districts too. 🙏
Respectful criticism: While the CM's appeal is appreciated, the people of Manipur need concrete action — rehabilitation packages, safety assurances, and accountable governance. Meeting a Bollywood star is one thing, but meeting with affected families on the ground is more important. Still, I'm glad Randeep Hooda used his voice to spread a message of unity.
Honestly, what a refreshing approach — using cinema and personal connections to talk about peace. Randeep Hooda's appeal to rise above differences as one human family is what we need to hear right now. Manipur has suffered enough. Let's hope this
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.