Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh inspected Sinai SoO Camp and appealed for surrender of illegal arms as a JAC announced a statewide shutdown over the Sunulok killings.
Imphal, Oct. 25: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Sunday inspected Sinai Camp, a designated Suspension of Operations (SoO) camp in Kangpokpi district recently taken over by security forces, and appealed to people to abandon gun culture and surrender illegal weapons. Meanwhile, a Joint Action Committee (JAC) representing the families of three civilians killed in the Nongshum incident announced a statewide shutdown from midnight, demanding that the Chief Minister personally meet the bereaved families.
Khemchand travelled by helicopter from Imphal to Sinai Camp, which was disarmed and secured following a joint operation by the CRPF’s CoBRA unit, Manipur Police and other security agencies. The operation followed the killing of three firewood collectors who had left Nongshum village in Imphal East district.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Heirok MLA and government spokesperson Thokchom Radheshyam, also referred to as Th. Radheshyam in the Chief Minister’s Secretariat statement.
????? ?????????? ???? (?????? ??.???.??.???. ??????) ? ??????? ???.???.??. ???? ?????? ????????? ????, ??????? ??????? ???? ?????????? ?????? ???? ????? ????? ??????? ??????? ???????? ? ???? ???? ?????? ???? ?????? ???? ??? ?? ??? ??????? ? ???? ??????? ????? ???? ??-??? ???? ???? ????? ????? ??????? ? Today, I visited Sinai Camp, presently occupied by the CRPF , in Saikul Sub-Division, Kangpokpi district, to assess the prevailing situation, accompanied by Hon’ble MLA Shri Th. Radheshyam and senior security and district officials. The safety and security of every citizen remain our foremost priority. There will be no compromise on the rule of law. I extend my sincere gratitude to all security personnel and the local people for their cooperation in restoring the situation. We remain committed to lasting peace and stability in Manipur. @narendramodi @PMOIndia @AmitShah @rajnathsingh
— Khemchand Yumnam (@YKhemchandSingh) October 25, 2026
According to the Secretariat, this was the first visit by a sitting Manipur Chief Minister to a designated SoO camp.
CM appeals for surrender of illegal weapons
During the inspection, Khemchand reviewed the camp premises and received briefings from CRPF and Assam Rifles officers on the operation and the prevailing security situation.
The Secretariat said the camp was designated for cadres of the Kuki National Army (KNA) and Kuki Liberation Army (KLA), which operate under the SoO framework. It was expected to house around 150 cadres, with the camp roster previously listing 159.
However, security personnel reportedly found 17 individuals impersonating registered SoO cadres using false identities. The camp was subsequently taken over by the security forces.
Khemchand commended the CRPF’s CoBRA unit for its role in the operation and stressed that security operations must not cause harm or harassment to innocent civilians.
“Manipur cannot progress or achieve lasting peace as long as a gun culture exists,” the Chief Minister said, according to the Secretariat statement. He appealed to people to shun violence, surrender illegal arms and work together to restore peace and harmony.
He also met local villagers and civil society organisation (CSO) representatives to hear their grievances and difficulties.
Senior officers present during the visit included CRPF Inspector General for the Manipur and Nagaland Sector Homkar Amol Vinukant; Manipur Police Inspector General Kamei Angam Romanus; Manipur Police DIG N. Herojit Meetei; CRPF DIG Rajesh Kumar; Assam Rifles Colonel Radha Krishnan; the Deputy Commissioner of Kangpokpi district; and the Superintendents of Police of Kangpokpi and Imphal East districts.
JAC announces statewide shutdown
Separately, the JAC against the Brutal Killing of Three Persons at Khongbal Tangkhul, Sunulok Incident announced a statewide total shutdown beginning at midnight on October 25 and continuing until the Chief Minister visits and meets the victims’ families.
JAC Co-Convenor Tonjam Somorjit made the announcement while addressing reporters at a community hall on the premises of Ibudhou Nongda Lairen Pakhangba in Nongshum.
Somorjit said the deadline set by the committee for the Chief Minister to meet the families had expired at 5 pm on Sunday without the requested visit.
He said the Chief Minister had invited the JAC for a meeting on October 22. After hearing reports that Khemchand would visit Sinai Camp on Sunday, the families and committee members had hoped he would also visit Nongshum.
When that did not happen by the deadline, the committee held discussions and decided to call the shutdown, Somorjit said.
The JAC announced exemptions for essential services, medical emergencies, healthcare services, electricity, water supply and other critical necessities. Participants travelling to attend the Mera Hou Chongba festival would also be exempted.
JAC announces proposed checks at entry points and hospitals
Somorjit further said the JAC intended to begin intensive checks from Monday to prevent members of the Kuki community from entering Imphal, reiterating the committee’s earlier position on their entry into the capital. He also announced plans for monitoring at hospitals to check whether people from the community were arriving for medical treatment.
These proposed checks were announced by the JAC and were not presented in the supplied material as government directives.
The shutdown announcement and the Chief Minister’s inspection come amid continuing demands for accountability over the killings at Sunulok and scrutiny of the SoO camp system. While the government has emphasised security operations and the surrender of illegal weapons, the JAC has made a direct meeting between the Chief Minister and the victims’ families a condition for ending its proposed shutdown.
