Key takeaways from PM’s Manipur speeches: Pitch for peace, unity; infra push; outreach to displaced

In both his speeches, Modi’s themes were consistent: peace as a precondition for progress, reconciliation between the hills and the valley, infrastructure and welfare as bridges, and renewed focus on local governance, women, and youth.

Here are six key takeaways from the PM’s speeches:

Peace for progress

Calling violence an “injustice” to Manipur’s forefathers as well as future generations, Modi made peace the central theme of his trip. In Churachandpur, he said, “This land of Manipur is the land of hope and aspirations. But, unfortunately, violence took over this magnificent region… the new dawn of hope and belief is knocking the doors of Manipur.”

In Imphal, he warned, “Any kind of violence in Manipur is unfortunate. It is an injustice to Manipur’s forefathers and the future generations.”

With communities polarised since May 2023, the PM’s messaging was aimed at both sides – reassurance to hill districts hit by displacement and a call for reconciliation to the valley that has resisted demands for a division of the state. By framing peace as both a moral duty and a developmental necessity, Modi sought to put the onus of healing on the collective will rather than the state alone.

Rehabilitation of displaced

In Churachandpur, after meeting families living in relief camps, the PM announced the construction of 7,000 homes, a Rs 3,000-crore special package, and Rs 500 crore for relief.

“The Government of India is with you, with the people of Manipur. The government is making all efforts to bring back normalcy,” Modi said. He made the same announcement in Imphal.

For over 60,000 people still displaced, rehabilitation has been a flashpoint between people and the state government. By publicly committing the central funds and setting timelines, Modi sought to show that his government is directly invested in rebuilding lives.

Local governance

Addressing one of the hills’ long-standing grievances, the PM said, “It is the government’s effort that local body governance is strengthened. Appropriate funds are being arranged for the development of local bodies. The development of every tribal community is a priority for the country.”

The Autonomous District Councils in hill areas have long complained of being “sidelined”, with little financial or administrative power. Their alleged disempowerment under a Meitei-dominated polity has fuelled resentment in the hills and is understood to have sown the seeds of their demand for a “separate administration”.

Modi’s remarks signal a recognition of the issue, but without committing to political restructuring. It suggests the Centre’s strategy may be to bolster grassroots governance and funding as a way to restore confidence without conceding to a division of the state.

Big-ticket infrastructure push

Modi positioned infrastructure as the bridge between fractured communities. In Churachandpur, he pointed to Rs 3,700 crore being already spent on highways, Rs 8,700 crore sanctioned for new projects, and Rs 22,000 crore on the Jiribam-Imphal rail link.

In Imphal, the PM inaugurated projects worth thousands of crores, including the Rs 3,600-crore Manipur Urban Road Project and Rs 500-crore Infotech Development Project.

“Before 2014, Manipur’s growth rate was less than 1%. Now it is growing much faster,” he said.

By pitching connectivity – roads, rail and IT – as a unifier, Modi attempted to bridge the state’s physical and political divides.

Women empowerment

In Imphal, Modi cited the state’s unique women-led market economy, highlighting the traditional Ima Keithel markets run by women traders. “Manipur is one state where women are at the forefront of the economy. The Ima Keithel tradition is evidence of that. I consider woman power as the fulcrum of India’s growth and Atmanirbhar Bharat,” he said, while announcing four new Ima Keithel markets and working women’s hostels.

With women’s organisations often at the forefront of both protest and peace-building in Manipur, Modi’s pitch for women empowerment resonates beyond economics. By tying in local traditions with national schemes, he sought to position the government as a partner in sustaining and scaling up women’s role in the economy – a constituency that cuts across community divides.

Youth, sports, integration

From hoisting of the tricolour by the Indian National Army (INA) at Moirang during India’s freedom struggle to contemporary sporting pride, Modi projected Manipur’s youth as India’s bridge to both the past and future.

In Imphal, he saluted Deepak Chingakham, a soldier killed during Operation Sindoor, saying, “The country will always remember his sacrifice”.

The PM also underscored that “without Manipur’s sports, India’s sports is incomplete” while citing the government’s initiatives in the form of setting up of the National Sports University, Olympic Park, and polo infrastructure.

For a generation scarred by conflict but celebrated in sports, the PM’s appeal was two-pronged – honouring sacrifices and flagging opportunities. By highlighting the roles of Manipur’s youth in the defence and sports arenas, he weaved their identity into the national mainstream, seeking to counter the alienation that has fed unrest.