Modi’s first visit to state in two years | Terms violence ‘unfortunate’ - PM urges peace, growth in Manipur
IMPHAL/CHURACHANDPUR: On his first visit to the violence-hit state in two years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech in Manipur’s capital Imphal on Saturday focused on peace and development, calling the 2023 violence in the state as “unfortunate”.
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,” he said.
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.
PM Modi vowed to transform Manipur into a “symbol of peace and prosperity” as he urged all groups to shun violence, assuring the people that the Centre stood firmly with them in rebuilding lives torn apart by the ethnic conflict.
Modi, who landed amidst heavy rain in Manipur’s capital Imphal on his maiden visit to the state after mid-2023 ethnic clashes described the state as the “ratna” adorning the crown of “mother India” and lauded the role of the “valiant sons” of Manipur in the success of Operation Sindoor.
Modi struck a note of healing, reassurance, and confidence as he listened to the concerns of the families of internally displaced persons (IDPs) at the historic Kangla Fort complex in Imphal and Peace Ground in Churachandpur.
During his visit, the prime minister also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for development projects worth Rs 8,500 crore.
Stressing that the only way forward was to build a “bridge of trust” between the Hills, home to the Kuki community, and the Valley, dominated by the Meiteis, Modi, in his public meeting in Kuki-dominated Churachandpur district, said a “new dawn of hope and trust” was rising in the state.
“India is moving forward with a singular goal, the goal of Vikshit Bharat and achieving this goal requires the development of Manipur,” he said.
“I met the affected people at a relief camp. After meeting them, I can say with confidence that a new dawn of hope and trust is rising in Manipur,” he said.
Hailing Manipur as the land of hope and aspiration, Modi said: “Unfortunately, violence had cast its shadow on this beautiful region”.
“For development to take root anywhere, peace is essential. In the last 11 years, many conflicts and disputes in the Northeast have been resolved. People have chosen the path of peace and given priority to development,” he said.
He said the Centre’s sustained engagement with all sides, through dialogue and development, would bring back normalcy.
“I appeal to all organisations that moving on the path of peace will help realise your dreams. Secure the future of your children. And I promise you today that I am with you. The Centre is with you, with the people of Manipur,” he said.
The prime minister, who has faced sharp opposition criticism for not visiting Manipur despite the prolonged unrest, underlined that the Centre’s efforts were already yielding results.
Together, we must take Manipur forward on the path of peace and development,” Modi told a packed gathering at the historic Kangla Fort in Imphal, dominated by Meiteis.
“I appeal to all organisations to move forward on the path of peace and fulfil your dreams. Secure the future of your children. And I promise you today, I am with you. The Government of India is with you, with the people of Manipur,” he said in Churachandpur.
Modi travelled to Churachandpur from Imphal by road as his helicopter could not take off due to inclement weather. Along the way, a large number of people lined up to greet him with placards.
“The love I received on the way to Churachandpur, I will never forget in my life,” Modi said.
Before addressing the public meeting, he interacted with displaced families at a relief camp and laid the foundation stones for a slew of projects worth more than Rs 7,300 crore.
“For Manipur’s development, for the resettlement of displaced families, and for the establishment of peace, the Centre will continue to support the Manipur government in every possible way,” he said.
Modi also made a special mention of Manipur’s women, calling them “the driving force of the state’s development and self-reliance.”
At Kangla Fort, Modi reminded the gathering of Manipur’s civilisational heritage and its role in the freedom movement, saying Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose had described Manipur as the gateway to India’s independence.
“This soil witnessed the INA unfurling the tricolour for the first time and has given many martyrs to the nation. Our government is moving forward inspired by their sacrifice,” he said.
Modi said, “The name Manipur itself has ‘mani’, and this is the gem that will shine for the entire Northeast in the times to come. The Centre has been consistently striving to take Manipur forward on the path of development. As part of this effort, I am here today among all of you.”
Concluding his address, Modi said, “I would appeal to all organisations to move forward on the path of peace and fulfil their dreams. Secure the future of your children.”
Improving connectivity in the state was a central part of the PM’s address.
Modi said that since 2014, the Centre has invested Rs 3,700 crore for upgrading the existing national highways in Manipur, while another Rs 8,700 crore was being spent on new highways.
“The Jiribam-Imphal railway line, with an outlay of Rs 22,000 crore, will soon connect the state capital with the national rail network. This will change the face of Manipur’s economy. Similarly, the Rs 400-crore modernisation of Imphal airport is giving new heights to air connectivity,” he said.
In the education and healthcare sectors, Modi highlighted a marked shift in the hill districts, which he said had long been neglected.
“In Churachandpur, a medical college has now been established. New doctors are coming out and healthcare has improved,” he said.
Modi said the government was determined to ensure that the fruits of development reach every corner of the country, including the remotest parts of the Northeast.
PM Modi also interacted with a section of the people belonging to the two warring communities, Kuki and Meitei, who were displaced due to the ethnic violence in Manipur, officials said.
Modi listened to the concerns of the families of internally displaced persons (IDPs) at the historic Kangla Fort complex in Imphal and Peace Ground in
Churachandpur, and assured them of the Centre’s commitment to restore peace and normalcy in the state, they said.
“A short while ago, I met the affected people at a relief camp. After meeting them, I can say with confidence that a new dawn of hope and trust is rising in Manipur,” Modi said in Churachandpur.
