Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh attends a seminar on criminal justice reforms and the Green Finale of the 77th Van Mahotsav, highlighting legal modernisation and environmental conservation.
Imphal, July 18: Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Saturday participated in two major state programmes in Imphal, reaffirming the government's focus on strengthening the criminal justice system through the implementation of India's new criminal laws while also advancing environmental conservation through a large-scale tree plantation campaign.
The Chief Minister first attended the inaugural session of a two-day seminar on Criminal Justice Administration before joining the State-level Green Finale of the 77th Van Mahotsav Celebration 2026, held in convergence with the nationwide Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 3.0 initiative.
Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla inaugurated the two-day seminar on Criminal Justice Administration at the Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), where he emphasised the importance of an effective justice delivery system in strengthening democratic institutions.
The Governor observed that criminal justice administration forms the cornerstone of a society governed by the rule of law, protecting citizens' rights, maintaining public order, ensuring accountability and reinforcing public confidence in constitutional institutions.
He noted that the new criminal law framework seeks to deliver faster justice through greater emphasis on victims' rights, increased use of digital technology, time-bound investigations and trials, and wider adoption of scientific methods in criminal investigations.
Attended the inaugural function of the two-day Legal Seminar on Criminal Justice Administration at MFDS Hall alongside Hon’ble Governor Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla Ji, Hon’ble Judges, police officers, prosecutors, and legal experts.
— Khemchand Yumnam (@YKhemchandSingh) July 18, 2026
A significant initiative to strengthen the… pic.twitter.com/X8L4Tiv6By
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh described the seminar as an important platform for judicial officers, prosecutors, police personnel and legal experts to deliberate on the implementation of India's new criminal laws.
He expressed appreciation to the Home Department, the Law and Legislative Affairs Department and the Manipur Judicial Academy for jointly organising the event.
"The strength of any democratic society lies in the confidence of its people that justice will be delivered fairly, promptly and impartially," the Chief Minister remarked.
The Chief Minister stated that the criminal justice system functions through the coordinated efforts of the police, prosecution, judiciary and prison administration, with each institution carrying distinct constitutional responsibilities while working towards the common objective of ensuring justice and protecting the rights and dignity of every individual.
He described the enactment of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) as a landmark transition from colonial-era legal frameworks to a justice system designed to be citizen-centric, technology-driven and responsive to contemporary needs.
Khemchand Singh reiterated that the Manipur Government is committed to the effective implementation of the new legal framework through investments in capacity building, technological upgrades, digital infrastructure, modern forensic support and continuous training of police personnel, prosecutors and other stakeholders.
He encouraged participants to utilise the seminar for meaningful exchanges between the Bench, Bar, police, prosecution and academic institutions, expressing confidence that the deliberations would generate practical recommendations to strengthen criminal justice administration in the state.
Chief Justice of the High Court of Manipur, Justice M. Sundar, observed that the seminar reflected the convergence of all pillars of democratic governance in pursuit of fair, efficient and humane criminal justice rooted in the rule of law.
He emphasised that while reforms aimed at strengthening security are necessary, every legislative change must remain consistent with constitutional principles.
The seminar was organised by the Home Department and the Law and Legislative Affairs Department in collaboration with the Manipur Judicial Academy. Among those present were High Court judges Justice A. Bimol Singh and Justice A. Guneshwar Sharma, Advocate General Lenin Singh Hijam, Director General of Police Mukesh Singh, members of the Bar Council and senior government officials.
Later in the day, the Chief Minister attended the State-level Green Finale of the 77th Van Mahotsav Celebration 2026 at the City Convention Centre in Imphal.
The event, organised by the Forest Department in convergence with Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 3.0, celebrated the conclusion of a statewide plantation campaign involving government departments, security forces, educational institutions and civil society organisations.
Addressing the gathering, Khemchand Singh announced that nearly 15 lakh saplings had been planted across Manipur within two weeks through the collective participation of government agencies, security forces, civil society organisations and students.
He observed that widespread deforestation has significantly altered the state's climatic conditions and stressed that tree plantation initiatives are essential for environmental restoration and safeguarding future generations.
Graced the State Level Green Finale of the 77th Van Mahotsav Celebration, 2026 at the City Convention Centre today in the presence of Hon’ble Deputy CM Shri L. Dikho and other dignitaries.
— Khemchand Yumnam (@YKhemchandSingh) July 18, 2026
The initiative to plant 15 lakh saplings across Manipur’s 16 districts reflects our… pic.twitter.com/37wdWIrFi6
The Chief Minister also inspected exhibition stalls displaying forest produce and modern forest fire-fighting equipment installed by the Forest Department.
As part of the ceremony, he watered a commemorative Uthambal sapling on the stage. The sapling will later be transplanted to the campus of Churachand Higher Secondary School as the Chief Minister's commemorative tree.
The Green Finale was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force Anuraj Bajpai, Principal Secretary (Forest, Environment and Climate Change) Arun Kumar Sinha, Manipur University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sumitra Phanjoubam, Arjuna Awardee Naorem Roshibina Devi, senior forest officials, teachers, students and representatives from various organisations.
The twin programmes reflected the government's parallel emphasis on institutional reforms in justice delivery and long-term environmental sustainability through community participation.
