Manipur Violence Victims, Locals Break Down While Interacting With PM Modi

Emotions ran high as the victims of ethnic violence met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Manipur this afternoon. Visuals captured teary eyes and a struggle to hold back tears as they interacted with the PM during his first visit to the northeastern state in two years since ethnic violence erupted in 2023.

The PM arrived in Imphal this morning. His first stop was at Churachandpur, where Kuki-Zo people live, about 61 km away from Imphal, a stronghold of the Meitei people. Due to heavy rain, he was informed that a helicopter ride was not possible. He, however, decided to reach there by road.

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In Churachandpur, he met some internally displaced persons who had lost their homes in the violence.

The Prime Minister greeted young children and received a bouquet and a painting from them, showed visuals before his scheduled address at the Peace Ground. PM Modi was seen wearing a hat with bird feathers that he received from one of the children during the meet-and-greet session.

Back in Imphal, he met some locals and students who broke down while interacting with him, capturing how turbulent the lives of the people have been over the past two years.

Read: "Violence Engulfed This Place, Peace Must For Progress": PM Modi In Manipur

He also laid the foundation stone of projects worth over Rs 7,300 crore in Churachandpur and Rs 1,200 crore projects in Imphal.

Speaking at Peace Ground in Churachandpur, he recalled meeting those living in relief camps, and said peace is a prerequisite for development in Manipur. Over 7,000 new homes are being built for those who were displaced, he said, stating that efforts are on to bring back normalcy in Manipur. 

The Prime Minister also spoke about expanding connectivity in Manipur.

"We worked on two prongs: we increased the budget for rail and road. We built rural roads. Rs 3700 crore have been spent on national highways in Manipur. Previously, reaching villages was so difficult. Now, many villages have road connectivity," the PM said. Rail connectivity is also being expanded in Manipur, he said, adding that Imphal would soon get linked to the national rail network. 

PM Modi's Manipur visit assumes significance in the wake of the ethnic violence that had brought the state to a standstill.

The valley-dominant Meitei community and the Kuki tribes, who are dominant in some hill areas of Manipur, have been fighting since May 2023 over a range of issues such as land rights and political representation. Over 260 have died in the violence, and nearly 50,000 have been internally displaced.

The 'general' category Meiteis want to be included under the Scheduled Tribes category, while the Kukis who share ethnic ties with people in neighbouring Myanmar's Chin State and Mizoram want a separate administration carved out of Manipur, citing discrimination and unequal share of resources and power with the Meiteis.