PM braves rain, meets Manipur violence victims in 1st visit since 2023 unrest

Mangalore Today News Network

Manipur, Sep 13, 2025: Over two years since ethnic conflict ravaged Manipur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met those displaced from their homes in Churachandpur, the epicentre of the violence that left 260 people dead. The Prime Minister, who took a 65 km road trip from Imphal airport due to heavy rain, hailed Manipur as the "land of courage and determination" and said that peace was a must for the state’s progress.

He interacted with the elderly and children in the relief camps at the Peace Ground in Churachandpur. He was accompanied by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla.

It was in Churachandpur, mainly inhabited by Kuki-Zo people, where violence first erupted during a rally by a tribal group against the demand of the Meiteis for Scheduled Tribe status.

The Kuki-Zo groups have demanded that the hill districts, where they are in the majority, be made a separate Union Territory. Meiteis are in majority in the Imphal valley.

’MANIPUR IS LAND OF THE BRAVE’

In Churachandpur, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stones for 14 major development projects worth Rs 7,300 crore, which include drainage facilities, women’s hostels, schools and super-speciality healthcare facilities.

Addressing a gathering, the Prime Minister said that peace was a must for the progress of the violence-hit state.

"It is good that my helicopter couldn’t land here, and I came by road. On the way, I saw the enthusiasm of people carrying the tricolour. I salute the spirit of the people of Manipur... Manipur is the land of the brave," PM Modi said.

The clashes between the Meitei and the Kuki-Zo people, which erupted on May 3, 2023, have left hundreds injured and displaced more than 60,000.

Over the two years, violence has erupted in phases, eventually leading to the resignation of N Biren Singh as Chief Minister and the imposition of President’s Rule since February 13.

NEXT STOP: MEITEI-MAJORITY IMPHAL

PM Modi’s next stop will be the Meitei-majority Imphal, where he will meet those displaced by the conflict. Thousands of Kukis are being housed in relief camps across the city.

The Prime Minister will also inaugurate infrastructure projects totalling Rs 1,200 crore and address a gathering at the historic Kangla Fort in Imphal. The Kangla Fort was the seat of power of the erstwhile Manipur kingdom.

"Manipur is not just a border state but a central pillar of India’s act east policy, a gateway to south-east Asia and a proud guardian of India’s diversity," Manipur chief secretary Puneet Goel said while speaking of the significance of PM Modi’s visit.

CONGRESS CALLS VISIT A FARCE

PM Modi’s visit to the strife-torn state, two years since violence broke out, has come under severe criticism from the opposition, who have called it a "farce".

Leading the charge, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said Manipur had been burning for a long time and the Prime Minister’s visit now was not a "big deal".

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the Prime Minister’s three-hour visit was an insult to the people of the state who have waited nearly 29 months for his attention.

"The PM will spend less than 3 hours in Manipur. This visit, instead of providing a force for peace and harmony, is actually going to be a farce," Ramesh said.