NPP President Conrad Sangma Visits Imphal to Review Peace and Stability in Manipur

Meghalaya Chief Minister and National People’s Party (NPP) president Conrad Sangma arrived in Imphal for a two-day visit aimed at assessing the current situation in Manipur and exploring ways to restore lasting peace and normalcy in the state. The visit underscores the NPP’s commitment to addressing the socio-political challenges in Manipur and engaging with local communities to foster stability.

At the Imphal International Airport, Sangma spoke to the media, stating that his primary objective during the visit is to meet local leaders, community representatives, and various stakeholders to gain a clear understanding of the ground situation. His approach emphasizes dialogue, collaboration, and direct engagement with citizens and leaders to identify effective measures for restoring peace. Sangma highlighted that although several efforts have already been made to resolve the crisis in Manipur, challenges still remain, and more comprehensive engagement is required to achieve complete stability. The Chief Minister stressed the pivotal role that NPP intends to play in stabilizing the state, emphasizing that peace and normalcy are the foremost priorities ahead of any political expansion. When questioned about NPP’s future presence in Manipur, he underlined that political growth and influence depend on public support. “Our priority is restoring peace and normalcy. Elections are far off; serving the people comes first,” he stated, reflecting the party’s focus on humanitarian and developmental concerns over political ambitions at this stage.

Sangma was accompanied by key NPP leaders, including National General Secretary (Organisation) Paknga Bage, National Secretary Saidul Khan, and National People’s Youth Front president Nickey Nongkhlaw. The delegation arrived at 12:45 pm, setting the stage for a series of engagements across different segments of Manipur society.

According to the itinerary, Sangma’s first engagements include meetings with Meitei civil society organisations (CSOs) at Hotel Classic Grande, followed by discussions with Naga CSOs at 1:45 pm. These meetings are aimed at understanding community-specific concerns, perspectives on ongoing crises, and local initiatives for promoting peace and social cohesion. At 2:30 pm, he plans to interact with internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Moreh, Churachandpur, and other areas sheltering in the valley, recognizing the importance of addressing humanitarian needs alongside political and administrative interventions.

In the evening, Sangma is scheduled to meet Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Raj Bhavan at 5 pm to discuss state-level strategies for restoring peace and stability. Following this, at 7 pm, he will convene a joint meeting with NPP MLAs, state executives, and party functionaries to deliberate on strengthening the party’s organization and strategizing for the 2027 Manipur Legislative Assembly elections. These discussions are expected to integrate insights from local engagements and focus on both immediate peace-building measures and long-term political preparedness.

On October 10, before departing for Dimapur, Sangma will hold a press conference to update the public and media on his engagements and findings. En route, he plans to engage with Kuki CSOs and IDPs in Kangpokpi and will also visit the residence of the late NPP Manipur president N Kayisii in Senapati for lunch, reflecting respect for party legacy and local leadership.

Overall, Sangma’s visit represents a comprehensive approach combining political dialogue, community engagement, and humanitarian attention, aimed at fostering stability, rebuilding trust, and preparing Manipur for a peaceful and orderly future. The visit reinforces NPP’s role in regional peace initiatives and its commitment to serving the people before focusing on political objectives.