Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Manipur today, his first trip to the northeast state since the ethnic violence broke out around two years ago.
Modi will inaugurate developmental projects worth Rs 8,500 crore in the strife-torn state, besides interacting with internally displaced people in Churachandpur and Imphal. The PM will address a public gathering at Peace Ground in Churachandpur.
At least 360 people lost their lives, while thousands were left homeless since clashes between the Kuki and Meitei communities broke out in May 2023. The state has been under the President's Rule since February, following the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh.
"We are fully committed to furthering inclusive and all-round development of Manipur. The foundation stone for road projects, National Highway projects, women's hostels and more would be laid," Modi said in a post on X ahead of his visit.
The projects being inaugurated include the Civil Secretariat at Mantripukhri, the IT SEZ Building and the New Police Headquarters at Mantripukhri, as well as unique all-women's markets in various districts.
He will also lay the foundation stone for Manipur Urban Roads, drainage, and asset management improvement project worth over Rs 3,600 crore, five National Highway projects worth more than Rs 2,500 crore, the Manipur Infotech Development (MIND) project, and the working women's hostels at nine locations, according to a release from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Modi’s visit to Manipur was confirmed by Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel on Friday. Addressing a press conference in Imphal, Goel asserted that peace is "not only the absence of violence but also the presence of trust, harmony and reconciliation".
The Opposition Congress, which has been targeting the prime minister for not visiting Manipur ever since the violence broke out, has taken a dig at his trip, noting that he will hardly spend three hours in the state.
"So now it is official. The PM will spend less than 3 hours in Manipur tomorrow. This visit, instead of providing a force for peace and harmony, is actually going to be a farce,” Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said.