Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Sept 13: In his first visit to trouble-torn Manipur since ethnic violence broke out between Kukis and Meiteis in May 2023, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said a strong bridge of “trust” must be built between the people of the Hills and the Valley in this North-Eastern state.
Addressing a public meeting in Imphal’s Kangla Fort, Mr Modi said his government was working relentlessly for reconciliation and development in the State. He also addressed another public meeting in the Kuki-dominated Churachandpur district and laid foundation stones for projects worth over ₹7,300 crore from Manipur’s Churachandpur district.
Mr Modi peppered his speech with development, and called the 2023 violence in state as “unfortunate,” and also issued an appeal to various ethnic groups in the state to shun violence and work towards restoring peace in the state. “I appeal to all the groups to move on the path of peace to fulfil their dreams and secure their children’s future. Today, I promise that I stand by your side. The Indian government stands with the people of Manipur,” the prime minister said.
Modi assured the proper resettlement of the nearly 60,000 people displaced by conflict and brought lasting peace to the state. He also laid the foundation stones of 19 projects worth around ₹7,300 crores.
The Prime Minister underlined that “our Imphal is the city of possibilities” and the 21st century belongs to the north-east. Listing out development initiatives, the Prime Minister pointed to a new Civil Secretariat at Mantripukhri, IT SEZ Building and New Police Headquarters, Manipur Bhawans at Delhi and Kolkata, among others.
“Today, development projects worth thousands of crores have been inaugurated and launched for the progress of Manipur. These projects will enhance the ease of living for the people, strengthen infrastructure, and create new opportunities of employment for the youth of Manipur,” said PM Modi.
Ethnic clashes broke out in Manipur in May 2023 between the valley-dominant Meitei community and the Kuki tribes. Over 250 people were killed in the violence. The violence had also displaced around 60,000 people who are still living in makeshift camps established by the government. Thousands of the state’s residents are still unable to return home owing to ongoing tensions. Longstanding tensions between the two groups revolve around competition for land and public jobs, with rights activists accusing local leaders of exacerbating ethnic divisions for political gain.
Mr Modi, during his visit to Kuki-majority Churachandpur and state capital Imphal, a Meitei stronghold, interacted with internally displaced people in both places. “Any violence in Manipur is unfortunate. This violence is injustice to our ancestors and our next generation. We have to take Manipur to the oath of peace and development. We need to get inspired from the involvement of people from Manipur in the fight for Independence. It was in Manipur that INA had first unfurled the national flag,” said PM Modi.
“May the lives of those who are forced to live in camps return to normalcy, for this our government is continuously working. The government has approved 7,000 new houses for the displaced. Recently, the central government has also announced a special package of about Rs 3,000 crore for Manipur. This includes a provision of more than 500 crore rupees for the assistance of the displaced. Those who have endured the heat of violence should return to normal life as soon as possible. This is our top priority,” said the Prime Minister.
Earlier, addressing a public meeting in Churachandpur, PM Modi assured the public of support from the Centre. “I appeal to all the groups to move on the path of peace to fulfil their dreams and secure their children’s future. Today, I promise that I stand by your side. The Indian government stands with the people of Manipur,” PM Modi said.
Mr Modi said Manipur had always been “a land of hope and promise, but it went through a difficult phase of violence. I met people staying in relief camps, and after speaking with them, I believe a new dawn of trust and hope is emerging in the state,” he said.
After his plan to visit Manipur’s Churachandpur by helicopter from Imphal was affected by heavy rainfall, the prime minister took 1.5 hours journey to travel 65 km by road from Imphal to Churachandpur, where he interacted with children and elderly displaced by the ethnic violence and staying in relief camps at Peace Ground. He was accompanied by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla.
The prime minister was originally supposed to take a chopper to a helipad in Churachandpur after landing in Imphal. However, due to the downpour since morning, he arrived at the venue by road.
“I was happy that I couldn’t take the chopper as I got the opportunity to see the love and affection showered by people of Manipur along the road. I bow my head to them in gratitude,” Modi said after arriving in Churachandpur.
“Manipur (the Land of Jewels) has a jewel in its name itself. In the coming days, the glow of this jewel will brighten the entire northeast,” he added. Churachandpur, largely inhabited by Kuki-Zo people, was the epicentre of the unrest that began after protests against the Meiteis’ demand for Scheduled Tribe status.
Since then, violence has erupted in phases, forcing former Chief Minister N Biren Singh to resign and leading to President’s Rule in February this year. During the visit, Modi also laid foundation stones for 14 development projects worth over ₹7,300 crore, including drainage systems, women’s hostels, schools and advanced healthcare facilities.
Officials said the visit underscores Manipur’s role as a key link in India’s Act East policy. “Manipur is not just a border state but a gateway to Southeast Asia and a proud guardian of India’s diversity,” Chief Secretary Puneet Goel said.
The opposition, however, slammed the trip as “too little, too late.” Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said the Prime Minister’s arrival after more than two years was “not a big deal.” Party leader Jairam Ramesh called the three-hour stopover “an insult” to the people of Manipur, adding that it would do little to heal wounds.
The Prime Minister inaugurated the new Manipur Police headquarters at Mantripukhri, built at a cost of ₹101 crore, and the civil secretariat, constructed at ₹538 crore in the same locality. Inauguration of Manipur Bhavans in Delhi and Kolkata, along with the development of the western front of Imphal River phase-II, and Mall Road phase-II in the State capital, were part of these 17 projects.
‘Ima’ (mothers) markets at four locations, development of Leishang Hiden Cultural and Heritage Park in Imphal West district, infrastructure development of five government colleges in Imphal West, Thoubal and Kakching districts, and a four-lane bridge over Irang river connecting Imphal-Jiribam NH-37 in Noney are among the projects he inaugurated. Institutional building with staff quarters at Saikot CHC in Churachandpur district was also launched.
Activists of the youth wings of the Congress and Manipur Peoples’ Party (MPP) held demonstrations near Mr Modi’s programme venue in Imphal on Saturday protesting against the PM’s trip to the strife-torn state and terming it a “political ploy.”
Holding placards, the workers of the Manipur Peoples’ Party Youth Front raised slogans outside its office and claimed that the PM’s visit is “not aimed at restoration of peace and normalcy” in the state. The MPP office is close to the Kangla Fort, where the prime minister inaugurated a slew of development projects and held a public rally.
A similar protest by the Congress youth wing activists was also staged in front of the Congress Bhavan, around 100 metres from the PM’s function venue. Protesters were prevented by police personnel from proceeding to the PM’s programme venue.
