PM Modi Visits Manipur After Two Years of Ethnic Unrest

Imphal/Churachandpur, Sept. 13, 2025 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday made his first visit to Manipur since the outbreak of ethnic violence in 2023. During the day-long trip, he addressed rallies in Imphal and Churachandpur and met with internally displaced persons (IDPs) in both districts. He also laid the foundation stone for projects worth ₹7,300 crore in Churachandpur and inaugurated development initiatives totalling ₹1,200 crore in Imphal.

The Prime Minister travelled to Churachandpur by road from Imphal after heavy rains disrupted his scheduled helicopter ride from Aizawl. At Peace Ground in Churachandpur, he interacted with families of internally displaced persons (IDPs) who have been living in relief camps since the ethnic clashes of 2023. Residents welcomed him with traditional Zomi and Thadou Kuki shawls.

Speaking at the rally held at Peace Ground, Modi urged armed groups in the region to “lay down arms” and emphasised that “peace is paramount for development.” He praised the resilience of Manipuri communities and assured them that the Centre would extend full support to restore normalcy. 

Highlighting the impact of the new projects, he said, “The projects worth around ₹7,000 crore, whose foundation stones were laid today, will improve the lives of people, especially the tribal communities in the hills. They will provide new facilities in health and education for you all.”

Later in the day, the Prime Minister returned to Imphal, where he addressed a rally at the historic Kangla Fort and inaugurated development projects valued at ₹1,200 crore. Here too, he interacted with IDPs displaced by the ethnic violence. Officials described the engagements as both symbolic and practical, aimed at healing divisions while ensuring tangible benefits for affected communities. The projects, part of a larger Northeast package, will be closely monitored to guarantee that displaced and vulnerable families benefit directly.

The visit carried strong emotional weight for Manipur’s Christian tribal communities, particularly the Kuki-Zomi groups, who bore the brunt of the 2023 violence. Many community leaders welcomed the Prime Minister’s outreach, calling it recognition of their suffering, though some stressed that infrastructure alone would not restore normalcy. 

“The Prime Minister focused more on the projects he launched and spoke less about the conflict in the region,” an IDP who attended the Prime Minister's rally in Churachandpur told Catholic Connect News. 

Ethnic clashes between the Kuki and Meitei communities erupted in May 2023, leaving dozens dead and forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes. Many remain in relief camps more than two years later, with limited access to livelihoods and education. Modi’s meetings with victims’ families were presented as an effort to directly assess their needs and reassure them of the Centre’s commitment to restoring peace.

Many people stressed that what the state needs most is trust-building — ensuring minority communities feel protected, justice is delivered for past violence, and rights to land, education, and representation are upheld.

Source: The Times of India