Manipur CM Visits SoO Camp in Kangpokpi, Calls for End to Gun Culture
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Kangpokpi, Oct 26: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh visited the Sinai Camp in Kangpokpi district, becoming the first sitting Chief Minister of the state to visit a designated Suspension of Operations (SoO) camp. During the visit, he called for an end to gun culture and appealed to people to surrender illegal weapons and work towards restoring peace and harmony in the state.
Under Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, the state government has reiterated its commitment to ending violence, curbing the illegal possession of arms and working towards lasting peace and development in Manipur.
The Chief Minister inspected the camp, which was associated with the Kuki National Army (KNA) and the Kuki Liberation Army (KLA). The camp was recently taken over and disarmed by the Central Reserve Police Force's CoBRA unit, Manipur Police and other security forces.
According to the information shared by the Chief Minister's office, the Sinai Camp was meant to accommodate nearly 150 cadres. However, security forces reportedly found only 17 individuals at the site who were allegedly impersonating registered SoO cadres by using false identities.
The action followed the killing of three firewood collectors, an incident that intensified concerns over civilian safety and security in the region. The operation at the camp was part of the security response following the incident.
Suspension of Operations (SoO) is an arrangement involving the government and certain armed groups in Manipur. It is intended to suspend armed hostilities and create conditions for dialogue. Designated camps are meant to accommodate cadres covered under the arrangement, subject to its terms and monitoring mechanisms.
The alleged use of false identities by individuals at the Sinai Camp has raised concerns about compliance with the arrangement and the need for effective monitoring of designated camps.
Addressing the situation during his visit, Chief Minister Khemchand Singh said that Manipur could not achieve lasting peace or progress as long as gun culture continued to exist. He appealed to citizens to shun violence, surrender illegal arms and join hands with the government to restore peace and harmony.
Today, Hon’ble CM Shri @YKhemchandSingh created history by becoming the first sitting Chief Minister of Manipur to visit a designated Suspension of Operations (SoO) camp.
— BJP Manipur (@BJP4Manipur) October 25, 2026
He inspected the Sinai Camp in Kangpokpi District , a camp of Kuki National Army (KNA) and Kuki Liberation… pic.twitter.com/Q1FcYetEDm
The Chief Minister also interacted with senior security officers and personnel, appreciating their efforts and professionalism in carrying out their responsibilities. He particularly praised the CoBRA Battalion for its role in the operation.
He stressed that the protection of innocent civilians, their lives and their property must remain a priority for security forces and the administration.
During the visit, the Chief Minister also met leaders of civil society organisations (CSOs) and held discussions with senior security officials and personnel. He appreciated their contributions and emphasised that protecting civilians from violence and other hardships must remain a shared responsibility.
He further stressed that safeguarding people's lives and property should be the foremost duty while carrying out security operations and other responsibilities.
The visit comes amid continuing efforts to restore peace and stability in Manipur, which has experienced prolonged ethnic tensions and violence. The state government has maintained that restoring normalcy, strengthening security and ensuring the safety of civilians are essential for the state's development.