Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Manipur on Saturday for his first visit since ethnic violence erupted in the state in May 2023. His visit included stops in Churachandpur, a Kuki-majority area, and the state capital Imphal, which is dominated by the Meitei community.
Key Points of the Visit:
- Projects and Development: PM Modi is set to lay the foundation stones for and inaugurate development projects worth over Rs 8,500 crore. Of this, Rs 7,300 crore is allocated for new projects in Churachandpur, and Rs 1,200 crore for completed projects in Imphal.
- Interaction with Displaced Persons: A key part of his itinerary is to interact with people who have been internally displaced by the conflict and are currently residing in relief camps in both Churachandpur and Imphal.
- Significant Infrastructure: Projects to be inaugurated include a new Manipur Police Headquarters and a Civil Secretariat in Imphal. He will also lay the foundation stone for a major urban roads and drainage project and the Manipur Infotech Development (MIND) project.
Background of the Conflict:
The ethnic violence, which began on May 3, 2023, was triggered by a “Tribal Solidarity March” organized in protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status. The conflict has led to significant casualties and displacement. According to government figures as of November 2024, at least 258 people have been killed and over 60,000 people displaced.
