In a significant appeal for calm, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator and former Manipur legislative assembly speaker Yumnam Khemchand has firmly stated that the path to resolving the state's prolonged ethnic crisis lies solely in peace and constructive dialogue. He made these remarks on Wednesday, emphasizing the critical need to maintain communal harmony even in the face of repeated provocations.
MLA's Visit to Relief Camp Highlights Plight of Displaced
Khemchand was speaking to the press at the sidelines of a medical camp organized at the Alternative Housing Complex relief camp located in Langol, which falls under the Imphal West district. This camp currently provides shelter to hundreds of internally displaced persons (IDPs) who have fled from the troubled towns of Moreh and Churachandpur. The MLA's presence at the camp underscored the ongoing humanitarian dimension of the conflict.
Cross-Community Desire for Peace and Return Home
Drawing from his recent interactions with displaced communities, Khemchand revealed a widespread and unifying sentiment among the people. He specifically mentioned his visit to Litan, where he engaged with Kuki IDPs. "There is a widespread desire for peace among people across communities," the MLA asserted. He shared that many displaced families conveyed a powerful and poignant hope: their strong aspiration to return to their original homes and villages.
This collective yearning, he noted, is fundamentally a wish for a return to normalcy and peaceful coexistence, transcending community lines. The message from the ground is clear—families are tired of displacement and long for stability.
A Prayer for Peace as the New Year Approaches
With Christmas Eve and the approaching New Year serving as a backdrop, Yumnam Khemchand offered prayers for the swift restoration of peace across Manipur. He expressed a sense of optimism, hoping that the coming year would see displaced families not only returning to their homes but also successfully rebuilding their shattered lives. His statement serves as a political and moral call for reconciliation during a festive season that symbolizes hope and new beginnings.
The MLA's reiteration of dialogue as the only solution highlights a continuing search for political and social consensus to end the violence that has gripped the state for months. His focus on the human cost—the IDPs' desperate wish to go home—puts a face to the crisis and reinforces the urgent need for a lasting resolution.
