Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh appeals for calm amid fresh unrest

Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh has appealed to all sections of the society to maintain peace and calm after fresh violence sparked by participation of Kuki Zo MLAs in the government sparking fresh violence in the state.

Several Kuki Zo organisations have been staging protests in Churachandpur and other hill districts against the participation and involvement of MLAs from their community in the formation of the BJP-led state government.

Singh appealed for peace after chairing a Cabinet meeting at the Civil Secretariat on Friday to review the prevailing situation, particularly in Churachandpur district.


Taking to social media platform X, CM Singh said: "Chaired a review meeting with Ministers and senior officials at my Secretariat to take stock of the prevailing situation and to take necessary decisions for containing the unrest. I earnestly appeal to everyone to remain calm and act in accordance with the Constitution."

Normal life in Churachandpur district was thrown out of gear as several tribal organisations observed a 24-hour total shutdown on Friday. Protest rallies were also organised in Tengnoupal and other mountainous districts of the state.

On Thursday, clashes erupted between a mob and security forces at the Tuibong Bazaar and Forest Gate areas, forcing security personnel to resort to baton charges and fire tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. At least five people were injured in the clashes. Additional security forces were deployed in the affected areas to prevent further escalation, while intermittent clashes continued till around 3 a.m. on Friday. Senior security officials rushed to the area to oversee efforts to restore normalcy, the official added.