'New dawn': PM Modi meets Manipur violence victims in first visit since 2023 unrest

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (Sept 13) met people displaced by the ethnic clashes in Manipur’s Churachandpur, his first visit to the state since the violence broke out in May 2023.

PM Modi said Manipur, once torn by violence, is now showing signs of recovery and renewed hope.

“Manipur has 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.

The conflict, mainly between the Meitei community of the valley and the hill-dominant Kuki-Zo tribes, has killed over 260 people and displaced nearly 60,000.

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Braving heavy rain, the Prime Minister travelled 65 km by road from Imphal to Churachandpur, where he interacted with children and elderly staying in relief camps at Peace Ground. He was accompanied by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla.

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.

Later in the day, the Prime Minister is scheduled to visit Imphal, the Meitei-majority region, where he will meet displaced families and inaugurate projects worth ₹1,200 crore. He will also address a gathering at the historic Kangla Fort, once the seat of the Manipur kingdom.

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.

A dig from opposition

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.