Govt making all efforts to restore normalcy in Manipur through dialogue: CM

Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh on Tuesday said that peace is a precondition for development in the state, which has been affected by ethnic violence, and the government is making all possible efforts to restore normalcy through dialogue.

Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh on Tuesday said that peace is a precondition for development in the state, which has been affected by ethnic violence, and the government is making all possible efforts to restore normalcy through dialogue. Singh made the remarks while attending an event at Chanam Sandrok in Imphal East district. ''The government has been trying to restore free movement along the highways for all communities of the state and restore peace through talks,'' the chief minister said. The warring Meitei and Kuki communities had blocked major highways to prevent the opposing community from using them. ''Amid the government's attempts to restore normalcy, the unfortunate incident of Tronglaobi, in which two innocent children lost their lives, occurred all of a sudden,'' Singh said. A 5-year-old boy and his 6-month-old sister were killed while sleeping, and their mother was injured, inside their home in a bomb attack at Tronglaobi in Bishnupur district on April 7. The incident triggered large-scale protests in various parts of the state. ''Such incidents caused pain and anguish to all communities. As the chief minister of Manipur, I too felt the same pain and sorrow over the incident,'' the CM said. Singh said that the investigation into the case has been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and assured the people that the culprits will be booked. At least 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless since May 2023 due to ethnic violence in Manipur between the valley-based Meiteis and the Kukis who live in the hill districts. Following continued ethic clashes and the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, the state was placed under President's Rule on February 13, 2025. It was lifted nearly a year later on February 4.