Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh plans committee representing all 36 communities

Guwahati: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh said that the government would take up an initiative to form a committee representing all 36 communities of Manipur, following a query from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on whether such a committee existed to bring all communities together.

The Chief Minister said that he would consult Maharaja Leishemba Sanajaoba and all the MLAs regarding the committee and urged the public to help with its formation. The proposed committee would aim to foster a cohesive environment among the communities and promote peace, harmony and inclusive development in the state, he added.

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The Chief Minister stated this while addressing the felicitation ceremony for hill chiefs of different tribes of Manipur, hosted at the Darbar Hall of the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, following the inauguration of the Hill (Tribal) Chiefs’ Guest House earlier today at Palace Compound, Imphal, as part of the Mera Hou Chongba Festival 2026.

Emphasising the importance of unity and collective responsibility, the Chief Minister said that Manipur had been defended and safeguarded through the contributions and sacrifices of all its communities throughout history. Recalling significant historical events, including the Anglo-Manipur War and the Seven Years’ Devastation, he highlighted how the people of Manipur had stood up to challenges in protecting their land, identity and heritage.

The Chief Minister expressed hope that Mera Hou Chongba 2026 would usher in peace and prosperity in Manipur and further strengthen the spirit of brotherhood, unity and togetherness among its people.

Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister inaugurated the Hill (Tribal) Chiefs’ Guest House at Palace Compound, Imphal, marking a significant step towards strengthening the bonds of brotherhood and understanding between the hill and valley communities of Manipur.

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Speaking at the inauguration, the Chief Minister described the completion of the guest house, coinciding with the observance of Mera Hou Chongba, as an emotional and meaningful moment. He lauded Maharaja Leishemba Sanajaoba for his initiative and persistent efforts in pursuing the construction of the facility with the government, stating that his commitment and continued efforts had helped bring the project to completion.

The Chief Minister expressed happiness that many people from the hill areas, including those who had previously been reluctant to come to Imphal for Mera Hou Chongba, had come to participate in the festival this year.

He said the guest house was not merely an infrastructure facility but also a symbol of the loving brotherhood between the hills and the valley. He added that it would provide a welcoming place for people from the hill areas whenever they visited Imphal, further encouraging interaction and strengthening relationships among communities.

Recalling Manipur’s history, the Chief Minister noted that the Maharaja of Manipur had, in the past, travelled to and stayed in the hill areas for over 100 days a year. He reiterated that all 36 communities had contributed to protecting and preserving Manipur, underscoring the need to carry forward this legacy of shared responsibility through mutual trust, peace and understanding.

Speaking on the occasion, Maharaja Leishemba Sanajaoba stated that in previous years, people coming from the hill areas to participate in Mera Hou Chongba had to stay in hotels. He said that this year, the hill chiefs would gather at the newly established Hill (Tribal) Chiefs’ Guest House to celebrate the festival. The Maharaja further stated that the government’s efforts in establishing the guest house would be remembered by the people of Manipur.

Mera Hou Chongba is a traditional festival that celebrates unity, brotherhood, peace and harmony among the people of Manipur. Rooted in the state’s rich cultural heritage, the festival promotes mutual respect, solidarity and peaceful coexistence among different communities while strengthening the bonds of understanding and togetherness between the hills and the valley.

The newly inaugurated guest house is expected to serve as a welcoming space for people from the hill areas visiting Imphal and stand as a lasting symbol of unity and togetherness. Its establishment also reflects the importance of providing facilities that encourage participation in shared cultural occasions and create opportunities for greater interaction among communities.

The Hill (Tribal) Chiefs’ Guest House has been constructed at a sanctioned cost of approximately Rs 7.1238 crore under the North Eastern Council (NEC) scheme, with funding support from the NEC under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER). The Department of Tourism, Government of Manipur, is the implementing agency, while the Manipur Police Housing Corporation Ltd., Imphal, executed the construction work.