Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Manipur on Saturday, the first time since riots rocked the state in 2023. After days of speculation, Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel on Friday confirmed the visit.
According to Goel, the Prime Minister will visit and interact with internally displaced people in Churachandpur and Imphal. His decision to visit these places are symbolic and aimed at striking a balance since Churachandpur is dominated by Kukis and Imphal by the Meitei ethnic group.
Development projects
The Prime Minister will also unveil development projects worth Rs 8,500 crore and will lay the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth over Rs 7,300 crore at Churachandpur. Modi will also inaugurate multiple development projects worth over Rs 1,200 crore in Imphal.
Response, reactions
The Kuki-Zo Council has welcomed the upcoming visit of PM Modi, calling it a historic and rare occasion. After decades, the Indian Prime Minister is coming to our area. “We have been demanding separation from Manipur for a long time, including a separate administration as a union territory with legislature under Article 239A of the Indian Constitution. We hope that PM Modi will give due recognition to our voice and aspirations,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that the Prime Minister’s visit to the state was not a big deal now, and the main issue today was 'vote chori'.
Two days ago, the state witnessed violence after rioters tore the posters and banners put up to welcome PM Modi in Churachandpur. A posse of police was deployed after the incident. The police resorted to a lathi charge to disperse the rioters.
