No Helicopter Travel Due To Rain In Manipur. PM Modi Took Car To Churachandpur

It was raining heavily as Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Manipur's Imphal Saturday, his first visit to the state since ethnic violence broke out in 2023.

Ethnic clashes broke out in Manipur in May 2023 between the valley-dominant Meitei community and the Kuki tribes. Over 250 people were killed in the violence. The violence had also displaced around 60,000 people who are still living in makeshift camps established by the government.

The Prime Minister's first stop was Peace Ground at Churachandpur town in the hills. Next up is Kangla Fort, a place of cultural and political significance.

Churachandpur is where Kuki-Zo people live, and Imphal, a stronghold of Meitei people, are 61 km apart.

Authorities informed the Prime Minister that the weather was not conducive for helicopter travel to Churachandpur because of the rain. The rally venue was about 1.5 hours by road.

The Prime Minister, say sources, decided that he would reach the rally venue by road.

The sources added that the Prime Minister said he would go no matter how much time it took, so that he could interact with the people.

And so he did. 

"I salute the spirit of the people of Manipur. Even in such heavy rain, you came here in such large numbers. I express my gratitude to you for your love. My helicopter could not come due to heavy rain, so I decided to come by road. The scenes that I saw on the road today, my heart says that it was good that my helicopter did not fly today and I came by road. The love and affection that everyone gave me while holding the tricolor in their hands throughout the way, I can never forget this moment in my life. I bow my head and salute the people of Manipur," PM Modi told a gathering of thousands in Churachandpur.

The Prime Minister underlined that the central government is making efforts to "bring life back on track" in the violence-hit state.

"In order to bring life back on track in Manipur, the government of India is making all possible efforts," PM Modi said. 

"I promise you today that I'm with you. The government of India is with the people of Manipur," PM Modi said, while also appealing "to all groups to take the path of peace for realising their dreams".