Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh has proposed a committee representing all 36 communities to promote peace, unity and harmony. The announcement came during Mera Hou Chongba 2026, alongside the inauguration of a Rs. 7.12-crore Hill Chiefs’ Guest House in Imphal.
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Saturday announced that the state government would initiate steps to establish a committee representing all 36 communities of Manipur to strengthen unity, peace and harmony across the state.
The Chief Minister said the proposal followed a query from Prime Minister Narendra Modi about whether a committee existed to bring all communities of Manipur together. He stated that he would consult Maharaja Leishemba Sanajaoba and all Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) before proceeding with the proposed initiative.
Appealing to the public to support the effort, Khemchand Singh said the committee would aim to create a more cohesive social environment, encourage mutual understanding and promote inclusive development among the state’s diverse communities.
He 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 in Imphal. The programme followed the inauguration of the Hill (Tribal) Chiefs’ Guest House at Palace Compound earlier in the day as part of the Mera Hou Chongba Festival 2026.
Emphasising the importance of collective responsibility, the Chief Minister said Manipur’s history reflected the contributions and sacrifices of all its communities in protecting the state’s land, identity and cultural heritage.
Recalling historical events, including the Anglo-Manipur War and the Seven Years’ Devastation, he highlighted how people from different communities had faced challenges together to safeguard their homeland and preserve their shared heritage.
Khemchand Singh expressed hope that Mera Hou Chongba 2026 would usher in peace and prosperity and further strengthen brotherhood, unity and togetherness among the people of Manipur. He stressed that mutual trust and understanding were essential to building a peaceful future for the state.
Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated the newly constructed Hill (Tribal) Chiefs’ Guest House at Palace Compound in Imphal. The facility is expected to provide accommodation for hill chiefs and other visitors from the hill areas, particularly during cultural events and official visits to the state capital.
The inauguration was viewed as an important step towards strengthening relationships between Manipur’s hill and valley communities. The Chief Minister praised Maharaja Leishemba Sanajaoba, the current head of the royal family of the erstwhile princely state and a former Rajya Sabha member, for initiating the project and making sustained efforts with the state government to bring it to completion.
According to Khemchand Singh, the Maharaja’s commitment played a significant role in ensuring the facility became a reality.
The Chief Minister also expressed satisfaction that many people from the hill areas, including individuals who had previously been reluctant to visit Imphal for Mera Hou Chongba, had arrived to participate in this year’s celebration.
He said the guest house was more than an infrastructure project, describing it as a symbol of brotherhood, affection and shared belonging between the hill and valley populations. The facility would provide a welcoming place for visitors from the hill districts, encouraging greater interaction and helping build stronger relationships among communities.
Recalling the state’s historical connections, Khemchand Singh noted that the Maharaja of Manipur had, in earlier times, travelled to and stayed in the hill areas for more than 100 days a year. He said such historical relationships demonstrated the longstanding connections between different parts of Manipur and the importance of preserving them through dialogue and cooperation.
Speaking at the programme, Maharaja Leishemba Sanajaoba said that in previous years, people travelling from the hill areas to attend Mera Hou Chongba had often needed to stay in hotels. With the new guest house now available, hill chiefs would have a dedicated place to gather and celebrate the festival together.
The Maharaja said the state government’s efforts to establish the facility would be remembered by the people of Manipur. He also highlighted the importance of providing suitable accommodation to encourage participation in the state’s traditional cultural celebrations.
The Hill (Tribal) Chiefs’ Guest House has been constructed at a sanctioned cost of approximately Rs. 7.12 crore under the North Eastern Council (NEC) scheme, with financial support from the NEC under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER).
Mera Hou Chongba is a traditional festival that celebrates unity, brotherhood, peace and harmony among the people of Manipur. Rooted in the state’s cultural heritage, the annual celebration brings together communities from the hills and valleys to share traditions, promote mutual respect and strengthen social bonds.
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The inauguration of the guest house and the proposed committee representing all 36 communities highlight the state government’s stated emphasis on dialogue, community participation and peaceful coexistence.
While the proposed committee remains at the consultation stage, its planned formation could provide a platform for representatives of Manipur’s diverse communities to engage in discussions aimed at strengthening trust and promoting lasting peace across the state.
