Yumnam Khemchand Singh, often hailed as the "Father of Taekwondo in Assam," has been sworn in as the Chief Minister of Manipur on February 4, 2026. This transition marks the end of President's Rule in the state, which had been imposed following the resignation of former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh amid criticism of his government's handling of ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities that began in May 2023.
Singh's inauguration comes at a crucial time for Manipur, as the state continues to grapple with the aftermath of the ethnic clashes that have claimed over 260 lives and displaced thousands since May 2023. His leadership is viewed as a step toward reconciliation and stability in the region. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Nemcha Kipgen from the Kuki community and Naga People's Front lawmaker L. Dikho were also sworn in as deputy chief ministers. Govindas Konthoujam from BJP and K. Loken Singh from the National People's Party were sworn in as ministers.
Born on March 1, 1963, the 62-year-old Singh's journey is a blend of sportsmanship and political acumen. A two-time MLA from the Singjamei constituency, having won the Manipur Legislative Assembly elections in 2017 and 2022 as a BJP candidate, he has been associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for decades and is considered an organization-focused leader.
Singh's association with taekwondo began at the age of 16. He founded the All Assam Taekwondo Association in 1982 and is considered a pioneer of the sport in Manipur. In December 2025, Singh received the 5th Dan black belt in traditional taekwondo from the Global Traditional Taekwondo Federation in Seoul, becoming the first Indian to achieve this feat. He graduated from the World Taekwondo Academy, Kukkiwon, Seoul, in 1991 and played a key role in popularizing Taekwondo in India during the 1980s, contributing to the formation of the Taekwondo Federation of India. He also served as the vice president of the Taekwondo Federation of India.
In the 2017 Manipur Legislative Assembly election, despite the BJP not having an absolute majority, the party formed the government with the support of other parties, and Singh was elected as the Speaker of the Assembly. He served as Speaker from 2017 to 2022. In 2022, he was appointed as a Cabinet Minister in the second Biren Singh ministry, holding key portfolios such as Municipal Administration, Housing Development, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, and Education. He served in this position until February 2025, when President's Rule was imposed in Manipur.
Singh's elevation to Chief Minister is seen as a move towards reconciliation. In December 2025, he visited Kuki-Zo villages in Ukhrul and Kamjong, marking the first visit by a Meitei MLA across ethnic lines since the outbreak of violence in 2023. His focus will be on restoring normalcy and fostering harmony among the different communities in Manipur.