Will lay foundation for ₹7,300 crore projects in Churachandpur, meet displaced families, and address public gatherings
Key Visit Details
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Manipur on Saturday in what will be his first trip to the state since the ethnic violence erupted in May 2023.
- The visit was confirmed by Manipur Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel during a press briefing on Friday.
Churachandpur First Stop: Ground Zero of Violence
- PM Modi will arrive in Churachandpur district — one of the worst-hit regions during the clashes — around 12:30 PM, coming from Aizawl, Mizoram.
- He will:
- Interact with displaced families
- Lay the foundation stone for development projects worth ₹7,300 crore
- Address a public gathering at Peace Ground
“The visit will pave the way for peace, normalcy and growth,” said Chief Secretary Goel, urging public participation.
Imphal Visit to Follow
- Around 2:30 PM, PM Modi is expected to reach Imphal, the Meitei-majority capital, where he will:
- Inaugurate development projects worth ₹1,200 crore
- Attend and address another public event
This itinerary shows a symbolic balance — Churachandpur (Kuki-majority) and Imphal (Meitei-majority) — underlining a message of inclusiveness.
Background: Manipur’s Long-Running Crisis
- Violence began on May 3, 2023, during a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ protesting the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
- The unrest between the Meitei and Kuki communities resulted in:
- Over 260 deaths
- Thousands displaced
- Widespread property damage
Political Reactions and Criticism
- Opposition parties, especially the Congress, have criticized the delay in the Prime Minister’s visit.
- Congress leader Keisham Meghachandra called the visit “merely symbolic”: “People had expected a concrete roadmap for peace, rehabilitation, and justice… there’s no engagement with all stakeholders.”
- In August 2023, the opposition even moved a no-confidence motion, accusing the Centre of ignoring Manipur’s plight.
- The BJP government had responded by highlighting the past failures of Congress in handling Northeast issues.
While PM Modi’s long-awaited visit to Manipur is expected to send a message of peace and development, critics argue that it may be “too little, too late” for a state still grappling with trauma and displacement. All eyes are on whether this visit leads to tangible steps toward peace and reconciliation.
