Lamka/Churachandpur, February 14, 2026: Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho landed at the 36 Assam Rifles helipad in Churachandpur on Saturday afternoon to attend the closing ceremony of the 78th Zomi Nam Ni Football Tournament.
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| Deputy CM Losii Dikho greets attendees during the closing ceremony of the 78th Zomi National Day Football Tournament in Churachandpur. (Image:TNP) |
The visit marked the first time a Deputy Chief Minister has travelled to Churachandpur since the Manipur conflict erupted on May 3, 2023. It follows Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand’s recent visit to Jiribam, where he met members of both Meitei and Hmar communities.
As part of the new government’s efforts to restore peace and normalcy, Dikho convened a closed-door meeting with representatives of the Zomi Council at its headquarters in Lamka prior to the tournament’s final match. The meeting, which lasted around 40 minutes, was attended by Churachandpur Deputy Commissioner Dharun, 26 Sector Assam Rifles Brigadier S. Prashant, Superintendent of Police Gourav Dogra, and other officials.
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During the interaction, Dikho appealed to Zomi leaders to support the government’s peace initiatives, stressing that development projects can only move forward once stability is restored. “Development can come only after peace is restored,” he reportedly told community leaders, adding that without peace, dialogue and resolution of demands would remain difficult.
Sources indicated that the Zomi Council did not raise political demands during the meeting. Zomi leaders reiterated that their community did not instigate violence in the conflict and urged the government to prioritise infrastructure, education improvements, and long-term development in the hill districts. They also highlighted the grievances of internally displaced persons (IDPs) awaiting relief and rehabilitation.
Dikho assured the leaders that the government has earmarked adequate funds in the budget for IDP welfare and is streamlining related measures. He invited Zomi representatives to Imphal for further discussions and said he would return with “good news” on February 20 after consultations with the Chief Minister.
Later, addressing the closing ceremony of the football tournament, Dikho conveyed the Chief Minister’s greetings and sought cooperation from all communities to restore complete normalcy and peace in the state.
