Manipur CM invokes Bible, Buddha’s teachings to pitch for peace in Kuki and Naga areas

GUWAHATI

Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh invoked the Bible and the teachings of Gautama Buddha to appeal for peace during his visit to Kangpokpi and Senapati districts on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.

He interacted with villagers in the Kuki-dominated Kangpokpi and Naga-majority Senapati district bordering Nagaland, including those abducted and later released following the killing of three church leaders on May 13.

“You are Christians; the Nagas are also Christians. When you open the Bible, the message of forgiveness and forgetting is sent. I am a Hindu and I believe in Gautama Buddha, who preached peace. We should all work for the return of peace in Manipur,” the Prime Minister told church leaders on Kangpokpi Sunday.

Church leaders demanded that he ensure that the government delivers justice by arresting the gunmen who ambushed and killed three church leaders.

The Prime Minister said justice would be served independently of society. “Be it Meitei, Kuki or Naga, anyone who does wrong will be punished,” he asserted.

Lengmang Chongloi, chief of Kangpokpi’s Taphou Kuki village, sought a security post for the village bordering Senapati district. “We also request that you build a community hall and market hut in our village of 250 households and 1,200 people,” he said.

Sadar Hills Village Chiefs Association president Haokholen Kipgen urged the Prime Minister to help lift the ongoing blockade on National Highway 2 by Naga groups. “The people of Kangpokpi district are suffering due to this blockade,” he said.

National Highway 2 connects the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley with the rest of the country via Nagaland in the north. Kangpokpi district is located between the valley and Senapati district.

Addressing the request for a security point in Taphou, the Prime Minister said that efforts to create a peaceful atmosphere that will facilitate free movement on the highways are continuing. He also said he had instructed the Kangpokpi district administration to pay special attention to the health needs of internally displaced people in Kuki.

At Senapati, the Prime Minister once again underlined the need for all communities to find common ground in their Manipuri identity. He thanked the United Naga Council for facilitating the safe release of the Kuki hostages while reviewing ongoing development projects.

During the tour, the Chief Minister was accompanied by senior officials including Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, MLAs Tongbram Robindro Singh, Sheikh Noorul Hassan and J. Kumo Sha and Home Commissioner N. Ashok Kumar and Horticulture Commissioner TN Panmei.