After a change in his travel programme because of heavy rainfall in the Northeast on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first visit to Manipur since the start of the ethnic conflict in the state in May 2023, delivering a message of peace as the path towards progress in the troubled state. His message was clear: “I am with you, the government of India is with you.”
PM Modi had been scheduled to fly into the Kuki-Zo-majority district of Churachandpur by helicopter after this engagement in Mizoram earlier in the day, and then fly by chopper to the state capital, Imphal, where Meiteis are in a majority.
However, he flew into Imphal by plane, travelled 50 kilometres by road to the event venue in Churachandpur, and then 60 kilometres back by road to the venue in Imphal.
At both locations, the only other person on the stage with him was Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, who is in charge of the state under President’s Rule. At both locations, while BJP MLAs, including former chief minister N Biren Singh, were in the front row, he began his speech by addressing the Governor, officials in the state administration, and “beloved brothers and sisters of Manipur.”
Significantly, before taking the stage at both venues, he interacted with people displaced by the conflict in private enclosures.
The thrust of the Prime Minister’s speeches in both locations was the development projects worth Rs 4,300 crore that he laid foundation stones for in Churachandpur and projects worth Rs 1,200 crore that he inaugurated in Imphal, with a clear message that “peace is imperative for development”.
Speaking at Churachandpur, he said, “This land of Manipur is the land of hope and aspirations. But unfortunately, violence took over this magnificent region. I met those victims a few moments ago, who are living in camps. After talking to them, I can say that the new dawn of hope and belief is knocking on the doors of Manipur. At any place, peace is imperative for development. In the past 11 years, decades-old disputes in the Northeast have been resolved. People have chosen the path of peace. They have given priority to development. I am happy that recently, a dialogue has been started with different groups in the hills (where Kuki-Zos dominate) and the valley (where Meiteis are in a majority). This is part of the government’s efforts, where, giving importance to dialogue, respect and mutual understanding, work is being done to establish peace. I appeal to all organisations that, moving on the path of peace, realise your dreams. Ensure the future of your children.”
Similarly, in Imphal, he said, “Manipur has a cultural heritage of thousands of years. Cultural roots are strong and deep here. Manipur is a crown jewel of India. We have to continuously keep reinforcing Manipur’s developmental image. Any kind of violence in Manipur is unfortunate. It is an injustice to Manipur’s forefathers and the future generations. We have to continuously take Manipur ahead on the road of peace and progress. And we have to do it together.”
“In 2014, when I came here, I had said that without Manipur culture, Indian culture is incomplete. And without Manipur’s sports, India’s sports are incomplete. Manipur’s youth are fighting for the pride of the Tricolour. We cannot let his identity be buried under the dark shadow of violence. Today, when India is becoming a powerhouse of global sports, Manipur’s youth have an even greater responsibility. That is why, to set up the first National Sports University, the government chose Manipur. Manipur sportspersons are getting encouragement through the Khelo India programme. Modern sports infrastructure is being prepared here. To promote polo, the Marjing polo complex has been built. To honour Olympians from the state, Olympic Park has been built.”
In both locations, he also spoke about people displaced by the conflict who continue to live in relief camps across the state. Over 58,000 people are currently living in such relief camps.
“I promise you today: I am with you. The government of India is with you, with the people of Manipur. The government is making every effort to bring back normalcy to Manipur. The government is providing assistance to build 7,000 new homes for the displaced. Recently, we have approved a special package of Rs 3,000 crore. To help the displaced, Rs 500 crore has been specially provisioned. I am aware of the dreams and struggles of the tribal youth of Manipur. To address your concerns, work is happening at different levels,” he said, referring to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman last month announcing an additional budgetary outlay of Rs 2,898 crore for Manipur, including Rs 523 crore for the rehabilitation of camp residents, while the Lok Sabha passed the Manipur Appropriation (No. 2) Bill, 2025.
On his development pitch in Imphal, Modi spoke about the launch of the Rs 3,600 crore Manipur Urban Road Project and the Rs 500 crore Infotech Development Project.
“These projects will strengthen Manipur’s road infrastructure and fill the state with new energy. After Independence, development happened in cities in western and southern India, and the youth got opportunities. This 21st century is of the east, the northeast. That is why the government has always prioritised the development of Manipur. That is why Manipur’s growth rate is continuously increasing. Before 2014, the growth rate of Manipur was less than 1%. Now, Manipur is growing at a much faster pace. A new era of infrastructure development has been ushered in Manipur. Work is underway to improve road networks both in urban and rural areas. Imphal city is a city of possibilities. I see Imphal as a city that will realise the dreams of the youth and contribute to the country’s growth,” he said.
In Churachandpur, he also emphasised tribal development and local governance projects. “It is the government’s effort to strengthen local body governance. Appropriate funds are being arranged for the development of local bodies. The development of every tribal community is a priority for the country. For the first time, a programme for the upliftment of tribals, Dharti Aba Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, is being run. Under this, development works are being carried out in more than 500 villages in Manipur. The number of Eklavya Model Schools is being increased in tribal areas. Even in Manipur, 18 Eklavya Model Residential Schools are being built.”
Signing off his speech in Churachandpur, he said, “We have a goal to make Manipur a symbol of peace, prosperity and progress. I assure you that for the development of Manipur, to rehabilitate the displaced, to establish peace, the government of India will keep cooperating with the Manipur government. I once again congratulate all of you on the development projects inaugurated today.”
Similarly, in Imphal, he ended by saying, “To achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat, the development of Manipur is necessary. Manipur is a land of great possibilities. It is our duty not to keep even one foot wrong on the road to development. There is no dearth of capability in Manipur. What is needed is that we strengthen the path of dialogue continuously. We have to build a strong bridge of harmony between the hills and the valley. I have confidence that Manipur will become a strong centre of the country’s development.”
