Manipur, located in northeast India, has a new chief minister, Yumnam Khemchand Singh, who took office after a turbulent year marked by ethnic violence leading to the imposition of federal rule. Singh, a taekwondo expert and a prominent politician from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has to navigate a divided state where the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities remain in conflict. While some residents see hope in Singh's leadership due to his connections across communities, others remain doubtful of his ability to bring peace. As tensions resurface shortly after his swearing-in, his challenge is to rebuild trust and ensure stability in a region characterized by chronic unrest and historical grievances.