Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first visit to Manipur after ethnic violence broke out in May 2023 came under heavy criticism from the Congress, which called it "tokenism" and a serious "insult" to the people of the state.
Claiming that 300 lives were lost, 67,000 people displaced, and more than 1,500 injured in the clashes between Kuki and Meitei tribes that lasted for 864 days, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said that PM Modi’s ‘self-organised’ welcome ceremony was a “cruel prick” to the wounds of those still suffering. He termed Modi’s roadshow in Imphal and Churachandpur as “nothing but a cowardly escape from hearing the cries of people in relief camps”.
Kharge also pointed out that Modi made 46 foreign trips during the period but did not pay a visit to the embattled state.
Other Congress leaders such as party general secretary K.C. Venugopal and AICC social media chairperson Supriya Shrinate, too, echoed similar sentiments, calling it a "belated, face-saving farce" and reminding the citizens that the prime minister went there now to inaugurate a railway project.
Congress general secretary and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressed relief that Modi finally decided to visit Manipur after two years, but pointed out he should have gone much earlier.
PM Modi arrived in Manipur on Saturday afternoon, and addressed a public meeting in Kuki-dominated Churachandpur district. He urged the various outfits to shun violence, and assured them that his government was with the people of Manipur, and wanted to make the state a symbol of peace and prosperity.
"It is unfortunate that violence happened here. Today, I want to promise you that the Government of India is with you and I am with you. I would appeal to all groups and organisations to choose the path of peace," he said.
Modi said peace is paramount for development, and emphasised how the Centre has increased budget allocation for railway and road connectivity projects in the state.
His stop in Manipur is part of his three-day tour, which also includes Mizoram, Assam, West Bengal, and Bihar.
In Aizawl, Modi unveiled the Rs 8,070-crore Bairabi-Sairang line, which integrated landlocked Mizoram fully with the Indian Railways. He also flagged off three new express trains connecting Aizawl with Delhi, Guwahati, Kolkata
"Northeast suffered heavily due to vote bank politics practiced by some political parties. Our approach is different those neglected before are at the forefront now, those marginalised earlier are in the mainstream at present. Mizoram has now emerged as a key driver of the nation's growth as the Centre has been working for the region's development for the last 11 years," Modi said, and added that the state plays a major role in the Centre's 'Act East' policy.