Manipur News: The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has lifted the President’s Rule in Manipur with immediate effect.
Tarun Chugh, the BJP’s central observer for selecting the party’s Manipur leader, has remarked that the name of Yumnam Khemchand Singh as the state’s Chief Minister was suggested by former Chief Minister N Biren Singh. In another development, Nemcha Kipgen, a former Minister and senior Kuki leader, has been selected as Deputy Chief Minister.
Singh would meet Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to stake his claim to form the state government. Yumnam Khemchand Singh would take the oath of Manipur CM today at 6 pm.
Manipur News: Latest Developments
The 62-year-old Yumnam Khemchand Singh, who is a black belt in Martial Arts, would replace N Biren Singh who resigned last year after which President’s Rule was imposed on February 13, 2025. In August last year, the President’s Rule was extended for another six months.
About Yumnam Khemchand Singh
Yumnam Khemchand Singh is the first Indian ever to receive a 5th Dan Black Belt in traditional South Korean taekwondo, a prestigious rank reserved for the art’s custodians and senior masters. Last year in Seoul, the honour for Yumnam Khemchand Singh came when Mayong Suk, Vice President of the Global Traditional Taekwondo Federation, handed him a signed certificate by 6 grandmasters led by Jun Lee, the Federation’s President.
Khemchand, a Meitei MLA, visited the two relief camps of the displaced Kukis in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts that are dominated by Nagas. Khemchand successfully interacted with the Kuki inmates to end the conflict that had kept the state on the boil since May 2023.
His constant efforts for peaceful dialogues and reaching out to the Nagas and the Kukis were pivotal in him being promoted over Biren Singh as the next chief minister of Manipur.
In 2022, Khemchand was also a strong contender for the post of Chief Minister but Biren Singh was choosen over him for the second term.
