In what many in Manipur are seeing as a rare and significant development, BJP MLA and former Rural Development Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh visited Kuki-inhabited areas in the hill districts on Monday, marking the first such outreach by a prominent Meitei leader since the ethnic violence that began in May 2023.
According to information shared by people who accompanied him, Khemchand travelled to two villages and held several conversations with local residents. His visit was mainly focused on confidence-building and restoring communication between communities that have been divided for almost two and a half years. The MLA said that with Christmas approaching, this was a time for people to remain hopeful and think about peace rather than conflict.
Khemchand began his visit at Litan, which is a remote Kuki settlement located in Ukhrul district near the India-Myanmar border. Local villagers briefed him about their situation since the clashes started and explained the difficulties they have continued to face. One of the major stops during the tour was the relief camp set up at the Litan Sareikhong Baptist Church, where several displaced families are still staying. 
Speaking to the people gathered there, Khemchand said that it was necessary for all communities to think about the future of Manipur in a peaceful manner. He told the villagers that the state could move forward only when every section of the population feels safe. He also said that this is not the time to keep distance from one another. “With Christmas coming, we should all pray for the return of peace in our state,” he said, while urging that peace should be the main goal for everyone.
He further told the residents that differences do exist everywhere, but it should not prevent communities from rebuilding relations. In his informal interaction, he noted that conflicts take place between countries and also within communities, but people must still learn to live together. He said that no one should be stopped from visiting each other’s villages and that normal interaction was important if Manipur has to return to stability.
