Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Manipur on Saturday, September 13, marking his first trip to the state since ethnic clashes broke out in May 2023 between the Kuki and Meitei communities.
The violence claimed over 260 lives and displaced thousands, leaving the state in turmoil for two years.
Focus on Peace and Development
Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel confirmed the visit and expressed optimism, saying,
“PM’s Saturday visit to Manipur will pave the way for peace, normalcy, and growth in the state.”
The visit is being seen as a crucial step toward restoring trust and stability, especially amid criticism from opposition leaders over the Prime Minister’s prolonged absence from the conflict-hit region.
Major Announcements and Projects
During his visit, PM Modi will also travel to Mizoram and is expected to inaugurate and launch projects worth over Rs 8,500 crore:
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Rs 7,300 crore projects to be launched from Peace Ground, Churachandpur (Kuki-majority area)
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Rs 1,200 crore infrastructure projects to be inaugurated in Imphal (Meitei-majority area)
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Inauguration of the Bairabi–Sairang railway line project, a major connectivity boost for Mizoram
Large billboards have already been put up across Imphal and Churachandpur announcing the programmes.
Security and Public Guidelines
Security has been tightened in both Imphal and Churachandpur. Authorities have:
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Banned air guns in Churachandpur ahead of the PM’s arrival
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Issued strict advisories for attendees, prohibiting items like keys, pens, water bottles, bags, umbrellas, lighters, sharp objects, and weapons
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Requested that children under 12 and unwell persons not attend the event
Political Reactions
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi welcomed the visit, telling reporters in Junagadh:
“The issue in Manipur has been ongoing for a long time. It is good that he is going there now.”
However, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh criticised the “short duration” of the trip, writing on X:
“It appears that he will be spending just about 3 hours in the state. This is actually an insult to the people of Manipur who have waited for him for 29 long and agonising months.”
Ramesh added that the brief visit reflects “callousness and insensitivity” toward the people of the state.
