Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh with participants and officials during the flagging off of the National Integration Tour 2025-26, organised by 33 Assam Rifles at Keithelmanbi, in Imphal, Manipur. Photo: CMO via PTI
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Tuesday (March 3, 2026) flagged off a national integration tour organised by the Assam Rifles, with participants drawn from all the communities in the State.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said, “Despite our differences, elders should not spoil the future of our children. We should forgive and forget the past and jointly head towards bringing peace and development in the State.”
This is the first such tour involving people from Meitei, Kuki, Naga and Pangal (Muslim) communities since the ethnic violence between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei groups erupted in Manipur on May 3, 2023.
According to a statement from the Chief Minister’s office, 24 youths—six each from the four communities—are part of the tour. The itinerary includes Imphal, Thiruvananthapuram, Kanyakumari, Mumbai and Kolkata from March 3 to 13.
Mr. Singh said that during the crisis, more than 47,000 people belonging to both the Meitei and Kuki communities were relocated to safer zones by the Assam Rifles to ensure their security and well-being. The Chief Minister also commended the Assam Rifles for its prompt and dedicated role in carrying out the relocation process.
As part of the programme, the Chief Minister interacted with the participants. Groups comprising one member from each community were formed, and a flag symbolising collective harmony and shared identity was handed over to them.
Officials of the Assam Rifles also introduced Mr. Singh to a group of National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets drawn from various communities in the State.
The event was attended by former BJP Rajya Sabha member Tarun Vijay and Brigadier Pratyush Kumar, among others.
Published – March 03, 2026 10:17 pm IST
