Manipur CM Initiates Peace Outreach in Jiribam District
Chief Minister's Visit to Jiribam
Jiribam, February 2026: On Wednesday, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh of Manipur launched a peace outreach initiative, marking a significant step towards rebuilding trust by visiting the Jiribam district.
During his visit, Khemchand met with the family of Zosangkim, a young schoolteacher and mother from the Hmar community, who tragically lost her life amid the ethnic violence that erupted in the district in November 2024.
Expressing his condolences, the Chief Minister reassured the family that the government is committed to supporting those who have experienced loss and trauma, highlighting that restoring peace necessitates empathy, dialogue, and justice.
Officials noted that this visit was more than just a formal condolence; it signified the new government's commitment to prioritizing outreach and reconciliation in affected regions.
In discussions with leaders from the Kuki-Zo and Hmar communities, as well as local residents, the Chief Minister referred to Jiribam as the 'gateway to Manipur' and emphasized that lasting peace is essential for transforming the district into a center for trade and economic growth.
He urged all communities to transcend the wounds of violence and collaborate towards harmony and inclusive development, invoking the principle of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas.'
Khemchand is the first Chief Minister to visit Jiribam since the outbreak of ethnic violence in Manipur in May 2023. As part of his outreach, he also toured Jairalpokpi, a village that experienced significant violence and arson during the clashes.
Jiribam was one of the hardest-hit areas during the Meitei-Kuki conflict in November 2024, with reports indicating that at least 19 individuals lost their lives in a span of less than two weeks, including 10 Kuki men, whom police labeled as militants—a classification disputed by tribal organizations, which referred to them as village volunteers.
The violence intensified on November 7, when Zosangkim was reportedly raped, shot, and killed in Zairawn village. Shortly thereafter, six members of a Meitei family, including three children, were killed in a separate incident attributed to suspected Kuki militants.
While there have been indications of gradual stabilization in some areas affected by the Meitei-Kuki conflict following ongoing security operations, new disturbances have reportedly arisen in Ukhrul district involving segments of the Tangkhul Naga and Kuki communities.
Analysts suggest that the Chief Minister now faces the dual challenge of solidifying fragile peace in existing conflict zones while averting the escalation of new ethnic tensions elsewhere in the state.