NEW DELHI: Manipur on Wednesday got a new chief minister with the swearing-in of BJP MLA Yumnam Khemchand Singh, a taekwondo exponent and senior party leader, nearly a year after the state was placed under President’s Rule. Singh’s appointment follows the resignation of former chief minister N Biren Singh amid criticism over the handling of ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kukis that began in May 2023.Who is Yumnam Khemchand Singh? Singh has represented the Singjamei constituency since 2017. He previously served as Speaker of the Manipur Assembly from 2017 to 2022 and as a cabinet minister in the second Biren Singh government, holding portfolios including MAHUD, rural development, Panchayati Raj and education. A practising martial artist since the age of 16, he introduced taekwondo to Assam and Manipur in the early 1980s and is the founder of the All Assam Taekwondo Association. A black belt holder, he earlier served as vice-president of the Taekwondo Federation of India.In October 2024, he became the first Indian to be awarded the 5th Dan black belt in traditional South Korean taekwondo.Singh had recently drawn attention for visiting Kuki-Zo villages in Ukhrul and Kamjong, marking the first outreach by a Meitei MLA across ethnic lines since the outbreak of violence.Khemchand made his electoral debut in the 2012 Assembly elections on an All India Trinamool Congress ticket but was defeated by a Congress nominee. He joined the BJP the following year. A native of Singjamei Yumnam Leikai, he passed his high school leaving certificate examination in 1978 from Ram Lal Paul High School in Imphal. He is married and has a son.The BJP holds 37 seats in the House and is supported by NDA allies including the NPP, NPF and Independents. More than 260 people have been killed and thousands displaced in the ethnic clashes, making the restoration of peace a key challenge before the new chief minister.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Insulted Sikh Community’: Hardeep Puri Slams Rahul Gandhi Over ‘Traitor’ Remark At Ravneet BittuRahul Gandhi Defends Naravane Memoir Quotes, Priyanka Questions Nishikant Dubey Quotes On Nehru’Justice Is Crying…’: Mamata Banerjee Takes EC Head On In Supreme Court Over SIR Row In Bengal‘Combatise Space Command…L1 Needs To Go.’: Expert Stresses Defence Reforms After Budget 2026India-US Trade Deal Vs India-EU FTA: Which Agreement Delivers Bigger Exports Jobs And GrowthKorean ‘Love Game’ Under Lens After Ghaziabad Sisters Suicide Raises Alarm On Digital AddictionPolitical Storm Erupts As Rahul Gandhi, Ravneet Bittu Clash, Cong Targets PM Modi On Epstein FilesPiyush Goyal Defends India-US Trade Deal in Lok Sabha, Says Farmers And Dairy Interests Fully Safe’Sorry Papa’: Suicide Note From Three Sisters In Ghaziabad Triggers Debate On Gaming AddictionMamata Banerjee Takes SIR Battle Against Election Commission To Supreme Court, Openly Challenges BJP123Photostories5 OTT hits of 2026 that created a massive buzz and had everyone talkingNot just potato: 9 types of popular fillings that make samosa a true food lover’s delightGaming addiction, school dropout, isolation: Key details in Ghaziabad-Loni sisters’ death caseBengaluru plans 800-metre flyover to decongest Iblur Junction; ORR travel time to dropIs your rice real? Simple home checks for “plastic rice” and 5 recipes to tryBest-rated BTS tours: From ‘Love Yourself’ to ‘The Wings’ toursTop 5 real estate hotspots in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) in 2026Why BMW cars are so expensive: The features that make them stand outWhat is the difference between a lease and a rent agreement7 parenting lessons from Violet Bridgerton123Hot PicksBudget 2026Gold Silver PricesParliament Budget SessionRelationship consentIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingArtemi PanarinMLB Trade RumorsAyesha CurryKayla NicoleNHL Injury UpdatePuka NacuaRussell WilsonDenver Nuggets vs Detroit PistonsNikola JokicGold Riyadh Players Ranking
NEW DELHI: Manipur on Wednesday got a new chief minister with the swearing-in of BJP MLA Yumnam Khemchand Singh, a taekwondo exponent and senior party leader, nearly a year after the state was placed under President’s Rule. Singh’s appointment follows the resignation of former chief minister N Biren Singh amid criticism over the handling of ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kukis that began in May 2023.
Who is Yumnam Khemchand Singh?
Singh has represented the Singjamei constituency since 2017. He previously served as Speaker of the Manipur Assembly from 2017 to 2022 and as a cabinet minister in the second Biren Singh government, holding portfolios including MAHUD, rural development, Panchayati Raj and education. A practising martial artist since the age of 16, he introduced taekwondo to Assam and Manipur in the early 1980s and is the founder of the All Assam Taekwondo Association. A black belt holder, he earlier served as vice-president of the Taekwondo Federation of India.In October 2024, he became the first Indian to be awarded the 5th Dan black belt in traditional South Korean taekwondo.Singh had recently drawn attention for visiting Kuki-Zo villages in Ukhrul and Kamjong, marking the first outreach by a Meitei MLA across ethnic lines since the outbreak of violence.Khemchand made his electoral debut in the 2012 Assembly elections on an All India Trinamool Congress ticket but was defeated by a Congress nominee. He joined the BJP the following year. A native of Singjamei Yumnam Leikai, he passed his high school leaving certificate examination in 1978 from Ram Lal Paul High School in Imphal. He is married and has a son.The BJP holds 37 seats in the House and is supported by NDA allies including the NPP, NPF and Independents. More than 260 people have been killed and thousands displaced in the ethnic clashes, making the restoration of peace a key challenge before the new chief minister.