Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday vowed to transform conflict-hit Manipur into a symbol of peace and prosperity, urging all communities to shun violence and embrace dialogue. Addressing a public rally in Churachandpur, a Kuki-dominated district, Modi declared that a “new dawn of hope and trust” was rising in the state.

This marks Modi’s first visit to Manipur since ethnic violence broke out in May 2023, claiming over 260 lives and displacing thousands.

“A short while ago, I met people at a relief camp. After speaking with them, I can say with confidence that a new dawn of hope and trust is rising in Manipur,” Modi said, receiving a thunderous applause from the crowd.

Hailing Manipur as a land of "hope and aspiration", the Prime Minister acknowledged the toll violence has taken on the region.

“For development to take root anywhere, peace is essential. In the last 11 years, many conflicts and disputes in the Northeast have been resolved. People have chosen the path of peace and prioritized development,” he said.

Centre committed to Manipur’s peace and progress

Modi asserted that the Centre stands firmly with the people of Manipur and emphasized the government’s commitment to restoring normalcy through dialogue, development, and sustained engagement with all stakeholders.

“I appeal to all organisations: walk the path of peace. Secure the future of your children. I promise you that I am with you, the Centre is with you — with the people of Manipur,” he declared.

The Prime Minister's visit comes after months of criticism from opposition leaders for not visiting the state amid the prolonged crisis. Modi countered that the Centre’s quiet efforts were already producing results.

“Recently, agreements have been negotiated with different groups from both the Hills and the Valley. These are steps toward building lasting peace through mutual understanding,” he said.

Due to inclement weather, Modi travelled by road from Imphal to Churachandpur instead of flying. Crowds lined the roads, waving the national flag and holding placards to greet him.

“The love I received on the way to Churachandpur — I will never forget it in my life,” he said warmly.

At a local relief camp, Modi met families displaced by the violence and later laid the foundation stones for development projects worth over Rs 7,300 crore.

“For Manipur’s development, for the rehabilitation of displaced families, and for establishing peace — the Centre will support the state government in every possible way,” he assured.

Connectivity, healthcare, and education in focus

A key theme of Modi’s speech was infrastructure and connectivity. He noted that since 2014, the Union government had spent Rs 3,700 crore upgrading existing highways in Manipur, with another Rs 8,700 crore allocated for new roads.

He highlighted the transformational Jiribam-Imphal railway project, a Rs 22,000-crore initiative to link the state capital with the national railway network. “This will change the face of Manipur’s economy,” he said.

On air travel, the PM pointed to the Rs 400-crore modernisation of Imphal airport, which is “giving new heights to air connectivity.”

“Earlier, good schools and hospitals in tribal areas were only a dream. Today, the situation is changing,” he said.

He emphasized that the first-ever medical colleges in the tribal Hills were set up under the BJP-led government — decades after Independence.

Under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, he noted, over 2.5 lakh patients in Manipur had received free treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh.

Basic services 

Modi pointed to substantial improvements in basic amenities, particularly in housing and water supply. “Seven to eight years ago, only around 25,000 to 30,000 homes had piped water. Today, more than 3.5 lakh households in Manipur have access to clean drinking water,” he said.

 The PM also spoke of permanent houses built under central schemes, saying thousands of families in Manipur had benefitted. ‘Manipur is a Gem of the Northeast’

Reiterating India’s rise on the global stage, Modi said the country was on track to become the world’s third-largest economy, and the government was determined to ensure that every region, including the Northeast, shared in that progress.

“The name ‘Manipur’ itself has ‘mani’ in it — meaning gem. This gem will shine for the entire Northeast in the times to come,” he said. Concluding his address, the PM once again urged all groups to lay down arms and work toward a peaceful future.

“Let us walk together on the path of peace. Let us fulfill our dreams and secure the future of our children,” he said.

Kharge calls Modi’s visit a farce

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge accused Prime Minister Modi of ignoring Manipur's suffering for over 860 days and termed his visit a mere farce.

Your 3-hour PIT STOP in Manipur is not compassion — it’s farce, tokenism, and a grave insult to a wounded people.

Your so-called ROADSHOW in Imphal and Churachandpur today, is nothing but a cowardly escape from hearing the cries of people in relief camps!

864 days of violence: 300 lives lost, 67,000 displaced, 1,500+ injured.

You made 46 foreign trips since, but not a single visit to share two words of sympathy with your own citizens.

Your last visit to Manipur? January 2022 — for elections!

Your “Double Engine” has bulldozed the innocent lives of Manipur.

You and HM Amit Shah’s gross incompetence and complicity in betraying all communities was shielded from scrutiny, by imposing President’s Rule in the state. Violence still continues.

It is the BJP which was responsible for maintaining Law & Order in the state and it is now the Union Govt which is again dithering.

Not to forget, that is your government which is responsible for National Security and border patrol.

This hush-hush PIT STOP isn’t repentance. It’s not even guilt.

You are organising a Grand Welcome ceremony for yourself. It is a cruel prick to the wounds of those still suffering because of your own  abdication of basic constitutional responsibilities!

In the words of your own… Where is your RAJDHARMA??