In a significant outreach aimed at strengthening inter-community harmony amid tensions between Kuki and Naga communities in Manipur, Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen reached out to Naga-dominated villages in her assembly constituency with a powerful message of love, peace, unity and peaceful coexistence, asserting that hatred and violence can never pave the way for a better future.
The outreach, which combined a strong appeal for reconciliation with welfare assistance and livelihood support, marked the concluding programme of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan 2026, commemorating Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 25 years of public service.
Held at Yaikongpao, a Thangal Naga-dominated village, the programme brought together residents from nine Naga villages — Daili, Phyapou, Yaikongpao, Tumnoupokpi, Liyai, Kalapahar, Liyai Kongpao, Thanamba and Mahika — in a gesture that underscored the importance of dialogue and trust-building at a time when strained inter-community relations have heightened concerns over peace and coexistence in the state.
Alongside the peace initiative, Kipgen distributed water storage tanks and housing-related assistance, including galvanised iron (G.I.) sheets, to beneficiaries. Awareness programmes were also conducted on women's entrepreneurship, the Lakhpati Didi initiative and the Manipur Women Empowerment Scheme, highlighting the importance of economic empowerment and sustainable livelihoods.
The warm reception accorded to Kipgen by Naga women at the Yaikongpao ground, marked by laughter, affection and genuine warmth, emerged as a poignant symbol of the possibility of communities overcoming divisions and choosing friendship over hostility.
Beyond its symbolic significance, the visit represented a direct engagement by the Deputy Chief Minister with Naga constituents, seeking to reinforce the bonds between elected representatives and people across community lines while ensuring that welfare delivery and development remain central to governance.
Addressing the gathering, Kipgen made an impassioned appeal for peace, invoking her Christian faith to stress that reconciliation must begin on earth if humanity hopes to attain peace in heaven.
"If we cannot live peacefully on earth, how can we expect to live peacefully in heaven? According to my belief, those who promote violence and hatred cannot expect to enter the Kingdom of God, which is our ultimate destiny," she said.
Emphasising that violence could never offer a meaningful solution to differences, the Deputy Chief Minister urged people to rise above community identities and reject the cycle of hatred and bloodshed.
"What do we gain by killing one another? What answer will we give on the Day of Judgment, especially as Christians who believe in God's teachings of love, forgiveness and compassion?" she asked, urging the people to reflect on the moral and human consequences of violence.
Kipgen said it was a blessing that people from different communities in Kangpokpi Assembly Constituency continued to maintain peaceful relations despite violent incidents in other parts of Manipur.
She expressed particular happiness over the fact that people belonging to different communities in her constituency could still shop together at Kangpokpi district headquarters, even as violence and restrictions on the movement of people had disrupted normal life in other areas.
"I am extremely happy to know that my people, irrespective of their community, can still come together and shop peacefully at Kangpokpi district headquarters despite the violence and blockades on the movement of people in other places," she said.
"This is how we should live. We must learn to coexist, respect one another and protect the bonds that unite us. Violence only destroys lives, families and the future of our children. Let us not allow hatred to dictate how we treat our neighbours," she added.
Appealing to the people to make Kangpokpi an example of inter-community harmony for other districts, Kipgen said peace must not remain a slogan but should be reflected in everyday life, mutual respect and the willingness to live together despite differences.
"Let us set a good example for other districts. We may belong to different communities, but we share the same humanity. Instead of encouraging division, let us build understanding, promote love and ensure that our children inherit a future defined by peace rather than violence," she said.
Kipgen also assured the gathering of continued efforts towards development in her constituency and the wider district, urging residents to prioritise peace, cooperation and mutual understanding over hatred and violence.
The programme was attended by chiefs and khullakpas of various Naga villages, along with BJP Sadar Hills and Kangpokpi Mandal leaders and party workers.
A Naga leader, welcoming the opportunity to interact directly with the Deputy Chief Minister, said it was a matter of privilege for the constituency to have its elected representative occupy one of the highest offices in the state government.
He said the position enabled villagers to convey their grievances and development-related concerns directly to their MLA, while expressing hope that the channel of communication would remain accessible and responsive.
"We are privileged that our own MLA is also the Deputy Chief Minister of the state. It gives us the confidence that we can approach her conveniently and convey our grievances and concerns whenever necessary," he said.
Calling for an end to divisive thinking, the leader urged people to reject the tendency to view one another exclusively through the prism of community identity.
"Let us abandon the mindset of 'you are Kuki' and 'you are Naga'. Such divisions will only distance us from one another. We must learn to live together peacefully, respect each other's identity and work collectively for the welfare of our people," he said.
He described Kipgen as a key figure in the constituency's efforts towards peace-building and expressed hope that continued engagement between elected representatives and communities would help strengthen mutual trust.
"Our Deputy Chief Minister is our guardian in the journey towards peace-building. Let us extend our cooperation, promote harmony and work together to ensure that peace prevails among our communities," he added.
The outreach concluded with a renewed call for unity, development and peaceful coexistence, with the gathering underscoring the importance of sustained dialogue and grassroots engagement in building confidence among communities in conflict-affected Manipur.
The Hills Journal
K. Salbung, Churachandpur
Manipur-795128
