IMPHAL, MANIPUR — Prime Minister Narendra Modi went to Manipur for the first time since ethnic violence broke out in May 2023. He brought a message of reconciliation and optimism to a state that had been badly affected by the turmoil. On Saturday, Modi arrived in the capital city of Imphal after heavy rain. He spoke with members of both the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, who have been at the center of the ongoing conflict.
During his visit, Modi called Manipur the “ratna” (jewel) of “mother India” and hailed the state’s contributions to the country, including as the part its people played in the success of Operation Sindoor. He said that the war has caused a lot of pain, killing more than 260 people and forcing more than 60,000 people to leave their homes, many of whom are still living in relief camps.
Modi talked on how important it is to develop a “bridge of trust” between the hills and the valley during two public meetings: one at the historic Kangla Fort in the Meitei-dominated Imphal and the other in the Kuki-dominated Churachandpur district. He told the people that the federal government is fully behind them as they work to reconstruct their lives. He said this after speaking with people who had been forced to leave their homes in Manipur: “A new dawn of hope and trust is rising.”
The Prime Minister opened and lay the foundation stones for development projects worth Rs 8,500 crore. He laid the groundwork for projects worth more than Rs 7,300 crore in Churachandpur and opened finished projects worth Rs 1,200 crore in Imphal. He said that these efforts are part of the Centre’s promise to help families who have been forced to move and to bring things back to normal.
The visit comes after the Opposition strongly criticized him for not being there throughout the two-year-long battle. Modi indirectly answered this by saying again that his government is committed to peace and prosperity in the Northeast. He asked all organizations to stop being violent and said, “Peace will help you reach your goals.” Make sure your kids have a safe future. And I promise you that I am with you today. “The Centre is with you, the people of Manipur.”
Modi also praised the women of Manipur, saying they were “the driving force behind the state’s development and self-reliance.” He talked about the state’s historical importance, pointing out that it was where Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army (INA) initially raised the tricolor flag and that it played a role in the freedom movement.
Even though the visit was short, it sent a strong message of unity. Modi drove to Churachandpur after weather grounded his chopper. There, a big crowd welcomed him. He said that the love he got was something he would “never forget in my life.”