Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh plans consultations on a committee representing all 36 communities and inaugurates the Rs 7.12-crore Hill Chiefs’ Guest House in Imphal.
Imphal, Oct. 24: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Saturday announced that the state government would take up the formation of a committee representing all 36 communities of Manipur to promote peace, reconciliation and inclusive development.
The Chief Minister said the initiative followed a query from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on whether a committee existed to bring all communities together. He said he would consult Maharaja Leishemba Sanajaoba and all members of the Manipur Legislative Assembly on the proposed body and appealed to the public to support its formation.
Khemchand made the announcement while addressing a felicitation ceremony for hill chiefs representing different tribes of Manipur at the Darbar Hall of the Chief Minister’s Secretariat. The event followed the inauguration of the Hill (Tribal) Chiefs’ Guest House at Palace Compound in Imphal, held as part of the Mera Hou Chongba Festival 2026.
The proposed committee, according to the Chief Minister, would seek to foster a cohesive environment among the state’s communities and encourage peace, harmony and inclusive development.
CM Calls for Shared Responsibility and Unity
Emphasising the importance of unity, Khemchand said all communities had contributed to defending and safeguarding Manipur throughout its history. Referring to historical events, including the Anglo-Manipur War and the Seven Years’ Devastation, he recalled the sacrifices made by the people in protecting their land, identity and heritage.
He said the contributions of all 36 communities should be recognised and carried forward through mutual trust, peace and understanding.
The Chief Minister expressed hope that Mera Hou Chongba 2026 would usher in peace and prosperity and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and togetherness among the people of Manipur.
The proposed committee would provide a platform to bring representatives of the state’s different communities together, although the government has yet to announce its composition, mandate or timeline for formation.
Hill Chiefs’ Guest House Inaugurated at Palace Compound
Earlier on Saturday, Khemchand inaugurated the Hill (Tribal) Chiefs’ Guest House at Palace Compound in Imphal, describing its completion during Mera Hou Chongba as an emotional and meaningful occasion.
The facility is intended to accommodate people from the hill areas visiting Imphal, particularly those attending the annual festival. The Chief Minister said the guest house was more than an infrastructure project, describing it as a symbol of brotherhood between the hill and valley communities.
He expressed happiness that people from the hill areas, including some who had previously been reluctant to travel to Imphal for Mera Hou Chongba, had come to participate in the festival this year.
Khemchand credited Maharaja Leishemba Sanajaoba for initiating the project and pursuing its construction with the government. He said the facility would provide a welcoming place for visitors from the hills and encourage greater interaction among communities.
Recalling Manipur’s history, the Chief Minister noted that the Maharaja had in the past travelled to and stayed in the hill areas for more than 100 days in a year. He said the tradition reflected the longstanding connections between the hills and the valley and reiterated that all communities had played a role in preserving the state.
Maharaja Says Guest House Will Be Remembered
Speaking at the inauguration, Maharaja Leishemba Sanajaoba said people travelling from the hill areas to attend Mera Hou Chongba had previously depended on hotels for accommodation.
This year, he said, hill chiefs would gather at the newly established guest house to celebrate the festival. He added that the government’s efforts to establish the facility would be remembered by the people of Manipur.
The guest house is expected to make participation in the annual celebration more convenient for visitors from the hill districts and provide a dedicated venue for interaction during the festival.
He also said that former CM N Biren had initiated the construction of the guest house and that the present CM had extended his support to ensure its timely completion.
Project Built Under NEC Scheme
The Hill (Tribal) Chiefs’ Guest House has been constructed at a sanctioned cost of approximately Rs 7.1238 crore under a scheme of the North Eastern Council (NEC), which functions under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER).
The Department of Tourism, Government of Manipur, served as the implementing agency, while the Manipur Police Housing Corporation Ltd., Imphal, carried out the construction work.
Mera Hou Chongba is a traditional festival centred on unity, brotherhood, peace and harmony among the people of Manipur. It provides an occasion for strengthening ties between hill and valley communities and promoting mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.
The inauguration of the guest house and the proposed committee initiative formed the two key announcements surrounding this year’s observance, with the government expressing its stated aim of encouraging reconciliation and more inclusive engagement across Manipur’s communities.
