Manipur CM visits Jiribam IDP camp, stresses on building trust
Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Wednesday visited Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Jiribam district, which borders southern Assam, and interacted with inmates at multiple relief camps.
He first visited the relief camp for Meitei IDPs at the Jiribam Higher Secondary School campus, where he urged residents to work towards bridging the prevailing trust deficit.
“Everyone must make an effort to remove the trust deficit,” the Chief Minister told the inmates.
Singh later visited Mongbung Meitei village and interacted with villagers, who requested the government to repair the existing village road. Assuring them of necessary development works, the Chief Minister reiterated the need for dialogue and mutual engagement.
“Both sides should start interacting with each other in order to remove the trust deficit,” he said.
The Chief Minister then visited the Kalinagar relief camp, which houses Hmar tribal IDPs. The Hmar tribe belongs to the Kuki-Zo community.
“Let us consider the last two years a nightmare. Let us forget it and find the courage to move forward towards peace and development,” Singh said.
Referring to the religious background of the Hmar community, Singh added that Christianity teaches forgiveness and promotes love for neighbours and even adversaries.
He subsequently visited Jarolpokpi Hmar village, which witnessed violence in 2023. Villagers expressed support for the government and urged the Chief Minister to address local needs, particularly the repair of the school building.
This marks Singh’s second visit to Kuki-Zo inhabited areas since December 8 last year, when he had visited a Kuki village at Litan Saraikhong in Ukhrul district and interacted with IDPs.
During the visit, Singh assured displaced families that their concerns were being addressed by the district administration. He said houses for homeless IDPs were under construction and expected to be completed by March.
Nearly 943 to over 1,700 people were internally displaced in Jiribam district following violent clashes in June 2024. Many took shelter in relief camps, including the Bidyanagar Multipurpose Sports Complex, while others crossed into Assam’s Cachar district. Although some families began returning home by August 2024, several IDPs continue to face safety concerns.
Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister left Imphal from Kangla Helipad at 10 a.m. Upon his arrival at Bidyanagar Helipad, he was received by Deputy Commissioner Krishna Kumar, Superintendent of Police Prakhar Pandey, ADC Th. Manoranjan Singh, and other officials from the district administration, police, and central security forces.
