GUWAHATI: Manipur is poised to welcome a new chief minister, BJP MLA Yumnam Khemchand Singh, a distinguished taekwondo expert. He was unanimously elected as the leader of the BJP legislature party in the Manipur Assembly, succeeding former Chief Minister N Biren Singh, who resigned nearly a year ago. The state has been under President’s Rule since his resignation and the assembly has remained in suspension.
Khemchand, the first Indian to achieve the prestigious 5th Dan black belt in traditional South Korean taekwondo, is expected to formally claim the formation of the government on Wednesday in Imphal. As part of the new administration, it’s anticipated that Kuki leader and ex-minister Nemcha Kipgen will be appointed as deputy chief minister, while Govindas Konthoujam, the MLA from Bishnupur, is set to become the home minister. This arrangement aims to foster peace in the strife-torn state, according to top sources.
Sambit Patra, the BJP’s in-charge for Manipur, confirmed on social media that Khemchand was elected during a meeting at the party headquarters in New Delhi, attended by key figures including former CM N Biren Singh and the current assembly speaker. All but two absent MLAs participated in the gathering.
Khemchand has been a significant figure in Manipur, introducing taekwondo to the region in the early 1980s. His efforts were spotlighted during his recent outreach to Kuki-Zo villages in Ukhrul and Kamjong, marking the first visit by a Meitei MLA across ethnic divides since the resurgence of violence in 2023. He has represented the Singjamei constituency since 2017 and previously held roles as speaker of the assembly and cabinet minister, overseeing multiple portfolios.
Manipur remains under President’s Rule, initiated on February 13, 2025, with the assembly’s 60 members suspended. The BJP currently controls 37 seats, supported by various allies and defectors.
The ongoing ethnic tensions have resulted in over 260 fatalities and widespread displacement since May 2023. Khemchand’s ascension is viewed as a crucial move toward reconciliation and stability in the region. He attained his 5th Dan rank following a promotion test in October 2024, having faced challenges in traveling to Seoul due to the prevailing conflict. He was recognized in Seoul last December, where he received his certification from the Global Traditional Taekwondo Federation.
In a heartfelt Facebook post, Singh expressed gratitude for being conferred the 5th Dan Certificate in Traditional Taekwondo, a first for an Indian. A devoted martial artist since age 16, he founded the All Assam Taekwondo Association and later served as vice president of the Taekwondo Federation of India.
Original Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/practising-taekwondo-master-first-indian-recipient-of-5th-dan-yumnam-khemchand-set-to-become-manipur-cm/articleshow/127892640.cms
Category:
Tags:
Publish Date: 2026-02-04 05:27:00
