Imphal: After nearly a year under President’s Rule, Manipur is set to have an elected government once again, with Yumnam Khemchand Singh poised to take over as Chief Minister. This transition is more than a routine administrative change; it marks a critical new beginning for a state that has been scarred by ethnic violence, displacement, and deep mistrust since May 2023.
The conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities escalated into prolonged violence that effectively divided Manipur into valley and hill regions. Official estimates suggest that more than 200 people lost their lives, over 60,000 were displaced, and normal life was disrupted in nearly 350 villages. Thousands of homes, schools, churches, and temples were destroyed, severely damaging the state’s social fabric and economic activity.
The violence crippled governance. National highways were repeatedly blocked, internet services remained suspended for months, trade came to a standstill, and tourism collapsed. The state’s economy is estimated to have suffered losses ranging between ₹10,000 and ₹12,000 crore. Healthcare services were disrupted in several districts due to shortages of doctors and medicines, while education was badly hit as schools shut down or were converted into relief camps.
Amid these circumstances, former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh faced accusations of bias from the Kuki community. Discontent grew within the BJP itself, culminating in October 2024 when around 18 party MLAs urged the central leadership to change the state leadership. The pressure led to Biren Singh’s resignation in February 2025, followed by the imposition of President’s Rule. With the constitutional limit of one year nearing its end, forming a new government became unavoidable, paving the way for Khemchand Singh’s elevation.
Khemchand Singh’s selection is widely seen as a calculated attempt to balance Manipur’s fragile social equations. Though he belongs to the Meitei community, which constitutes about 53 percent of the population, he is considered relatively acceptable to both Kuki and Naga groups. During the height of the violence, he was among the few Meitei leaders who visited Kuki relief camps and met displaced families. His visit to a Kuki relief camp in Naga-dominated Ukhrul district was viewed as a rare humanitarian gesture at a time when trust between communities was at its lowest.
Politically, Khemchand Singh brings considerable experience. Elected from the Singjamei constituency in 2017 and again in 2022, he served a full term as Speaker of the Manipur Assembly before becoming a minister handling key portfolios such as Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Municipal Administration, Housing, and Education. With nearly two decades in active politics, he is regarded as an administrator with organizational discipline and a relatively controversy-free image.
The numbers in the Manipur Assembly strongly favor the new government. In the 60-member House, the BJP currently has 37 MLAs, bolstered by five former JD(U) legislators who later joined the party. With support from the NPF, a JD(U) MLA, and three Independents, the NDA enjoys the backing of 46 legislators. However, in Manipur, the real challenge is not legislative strength but restoring social trust.
Around 50,000 people still live in relief camps, and only about 25–30 percent of displaced families have been able to return home permanently. Movement between valley and hill areas remains restricted in several regions, often requiring security escorts. The proliferation of illegal weapons looted or acquired during the violence remains a major obstacle to lasting peace.
Rehabilitation and security will be the new government’s immediate priorities. Rebuilding homes, ensuring fair compensation, reviving healthcare and education, and restoring livelihoods will test administrative capacity and political will. The BJP is also expected to maintain social balance by appointing deputy chief ministers from Kuki and Naga communities.
For Yumnam Khemchand Singh, assuming office is nothing short of a trial by fire. Widely seen as a clean and disciplined leader, he now faces the challenge of proving that he can rise above identity politics and lead the entire state. Manipur’s people are no longer swayed by rhetoric; they seek tangible peace, restored normalcy, and a future free from fear. Whether Khemchand Singh can deliver that will define not just his tenure, but Manipur’s path forward.
