The Apunba Imagi Machasing (AIMS) of Manipur has presented a memorandum to the Chief Minister advocating for the phased establishment of nine key colleges and specialized institutions to aid in economic recovery and skill rebuilding in the wake of ongoing violence since May 3, 2023. The proposal includes institutions for veterinary studies, agronomy, fisheries, horticulture, apiculture, floriculture, herbal medicine, renewable energy, and mithun research. AIMS representatives, including President Mayanglambam Khelendro Singh and directors N. Ratan (Kapu) Meetei and Dr. Atom Sunil Singh, emphasized that the region’s economy has faced severe disruptions, affecting jobs, incomes, education, and rural livelihoods, with many families experiencing displacement.
The memorandum highlights ongoing mobility and supply-chain issues, noting that air travel has become the most feasible but cost-prohibitive option for many. AIMS argues that a recovery strategy should focus on education to create skills, jobs, and lawful income opportunities, allowing families to return to normalcy and enabling the youth to build future prospects in Manipur. The proposed institutions aim to generate local employment, develop skilled manpower, strengthen the agriculture sector, reduce student migration for professional education, and enhance rural income through improved services and value-chain initiatives.
Furthermore, AIMS urges the government to develop a time-bound roadmap and establish a multi-department Task Group within 30 days to finalize the phasing, site selection, and implementation strategies for these institutions, ensuring that training programs align with measurable job and enterprise outcomes, especially prioritizing support for displaced and crisis-affected youth.