“The only way forward in Manipur today is peace and dialogue. Let us pray that this Christmas bring peace in the state,” Khemchand told newspersons on the sidelines of an all-community Christmas gathering organized by the Liangmei Nagas of Namdilong village under Kanglatongbi in Imphal West district, bordering Kuki-dominated Kangpokpi district.
Addressing the Christmas gathering, Khemchand, said that Lord Jesus Christ is known as the “Prince of Peace” and everyone should pray the Lord for a peaceful Manipur. “People from both Meitei and Kuki communities have been suffering for the last two years as they couldn’t enter each other’s areas. I hope after this Christmas, Lord Jesus Christ will remove the barriers and both sides can enter each other’s areas,” he said.
He said that Manipur is made by 36 communities and all the communities have their role to play in safeguarding the interests of the state. “We, all the 36 communities, should join hands to safeguard and protect Manipur,” said Khemchand, a Taekwondo Black Belt 4th Dan from Kukkiwon World Taekwondo Academy, Seoul in South Korea.
The BJP MLA was accompanied by his spouse, Y. Joybala Devi during the Christmas celebration. The couple joined the dance of Naga tribals performed as part of the Christmas celebration.
Over 260 people died in the Meitei-Kuki violence, which erupted on May 3, 2023 and rendered thousands homeless. Over 60,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are languishing in various relief camps across the state.