Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand says ADC and Panchayat elections will be expedited, while Assembly discusses healthcare, highways, relief and conflict-related issues.
Imphal, Sept 3: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Thursday informed the Assembly that the election process for the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) and Panchayats would be expedited and taken forward at the earliest.
The Chief Minister was responding to a Calling Attention Motion raised by MLA K Meghachandra Singh during the second day of the ongoing eighth session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly.
Khemchand stated that the election process for the ADCs and Panchayats had been initiated earlier but was subsequently postponed following a Supreme Court ruling concerning the three-tier system. He also referred to the delimitation exercise undertaken in connection with the local bodies.
On the issue concerning the 16th Finance Commission, the Chief Minister informed the House that he would write to the concerned authority regarding the matter.
CM cites conflict-related challenges in health sector
Replying to a Calling Attention Motion raised by MLA Surjakumar Okram over shortages of essential surgical items, basic supplies, equipment and medical personnel in government hospitals, the Chief Minister stated that the ongoing conflict had created difficulties in deploying doctors and nurses in several districts.
He also pointed to shortages of medical personnel during the dengue outbreak in Moreh. Despite the challenges, Khemchand maintained that the state's health sector had recorded significant improvement.
According to the Chief Minister, Manipur's infant mortality rate is around three per 1,000 live births. He further informed the Assembly that the Health Department had recently received an incentive of around Rs 2,000 crore.
Sanction has also been accorded for five super-speciality hospitals, including provision for CT scan facilities, he stated.
The Chief Minister said construction of the City Mental Hospital at Lamphelpat was under process, while the 60-bedded mental health hospital for children at Luwangsangbam had reached 87 per cent completion.
To address shortages of medical personnel in the hill districts, 13 Mobile Medical Units equipped with medical facilities and staffed with healthcare personnel have been facilitated, he stated. Another 33 ambulances are being prepared for deployment at different locations to provide assistance to pregnant women.
Regarding the National Health Mission, Khemchand informed the House that Manipur was initially scheduled to receive four instalments during 2024-25. Following an inspection, the state received a fifth instalment, resulting in additional funds.
During 2025-26, the state received the full instalment and utilised the funds, he added.
Four held in Leilon Vaiphei case
Home Minister Govindas Kongthoujam informed the Assembly that four persons involved in the Leilon Vaiphei incident had been apprehended and that further investigation was underway.
In another response to MLA Ranjit Singh, the Home Minister stated that one accused in the Tronglaobi incident of April 7, 2026, identified as Sonminlal Palal Thadou Kuki alias Lalboi Singson, son of late Letzang Singson of Molnom village under Churachandpur district police station, had been arrested. The investigation remains underway.
On the movement of vehicles and essential commodities along NH-37 and NH-39, Kongthoujam stated that there was no obstruction to vehicles or transporters operating on the two highways.
He added that action would be taken against those involved in illegal road blockades.
Rs 29.67 crore approved for hailstorm victims
The Chief Minister informed the House that Rs 29.67 crore had been approved by the Finance Department for assistance to victims of the hailstorm that occurred in March 2026.
The funds would be disbursed through the district administrations as soon as possible, he stated in response to a question from MLA Dr Sapam Ranjan Singh.
The Home Minister also informed the Assembly that 306 people had died and 49 remained missing as of August 31, 2026, since the outbreak of the conflict on May 3, 2023.
He stated that ex-gratia assistance for families of missing persons would be released within September after a Cabinet discussion, in accordance with the state's Ex-Gratia Scheme and the Central Scheme for Assistance to Civilian Victims for confirmed death cases.
CM urges alternatives to bandhs
Responding to MLA Surjakumar Okram, Khemchand appealed to people to adopt alternative means of protest and agitation instead of imposing bandhs, stating that such actions affect a large section of the population, including students.
He also informed the House that a scheme for street vendors affected by bandhs in the state would be launched within September.
Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, meanwhile, informed the Assembly about the construction of Bailey bridges over the Imphal River connecting areas under Mayang Imphal Assembly Constituency in Imphal West with Wabagai and Hiyanglam constituencies in Kakching district.
She stated that the bridges were taken up under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) on the stretch between Chirai Village and Khordak Village in Mayang Imphal AC under Wangoi Sub-Division of Imphal West district during the period from 2007 to 2025.
MLA Kimneo Haokip Hangshing of Saitu constituency also raised issues concerning competitive examination centres and employment opportunities in her constituency.
She sought measures to ensure the supply of essential commodities, including food, medicines and fuel, as well as improvements in livelihood opportunities and financial assistance for internally displaced persons in Kangpokpi district.
During the ongoing session, the Chief Minister also laid The Manipur Private School (Registration and Regulation) (1st Amendment) Rules, 2026 on the Table of the House.
