Imphal/New Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Manipur on Saturday — his first trip to the violence-hit State since ethnic clashes broke out between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in May 2023. The visit is being seen as a major political and peace-building intervention, with the Prime Minister set to unveil development projects worth Rs 8,500 crore, meet rehabilitation officials, and review security measures.
Manipur Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel on Friday officially confirmed the Prime Minister’s visit. He told mediapersons that the PM will land in Kuki-Zo-majority Churachandpur district around 12:30 pm from Aizawl; first interact with internally displaced people there and lay the foundation stone for development projects before addressing the public.
Following this, he will travel to Imphal, where again he will interact with internally displaced people and inaugurate development projects. The Chief Secretary said that foundation stones would be laid for development projects valued at Rs 7,300 crore, and projects worth Rs 1,200 crore would be inaugurated.
“The government is making all efforts to bring back normalcy in Manipur. Everything is on the paper… whatever agreement has been signed will be honoured,” Goel said, referring to the recently renegotiated Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreements with Kuki-Zo groups. He added that the provisions related to relocation of camps and reopening of critical highways would be implemented “in letter and spirit.”
Opposition parties, led by the Congress, have criticised the timing of the visit, calling it overdue. Senior Congress leaders have reiterated that the Prime Minister should have visited the state much earlier to take stock of the crisis on the ground and initiate a political dialogue. “A brief visit after 29 months cannot substitute for sustained attention,” one Opposition leader said, adding that an all-party meeting is needed to draw a roadmap for peace and reconciliation.
The law and order situation remains sensitive though relatively calmer compared to 2023 and 2024. More than 250 people have lost their lives since the violence began, and thousands continue to live in relief camps across hill and valley districts. Army, Assam Rifles and central paramilitary forces remain deployed in sensitive areas. Security has been tightened ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit, with additional barricades, surveillance and crowd control measures put in place in Imphal, Bishnupur and Churachandpur.
The visit is being closely watched for its political implications. The development package and the Centre’s renewed focus on Manipur could help the ruling BJP regain lost ground among communities disillusioned by the slow pace of rehabilitation and justice. Political observers believe that the announcement of major projects, combined with visible central intervention, could soften public anger and reset the narrative ahead of upcoming electoral cycles.
While the Prime Minister’s visit is expected to reassure the public and show commitment to rebuilding Manipur, much will depend on the follow-up — particularly on ensuring safe return of displaced families, fair investigation of past incidents, and sustained dialogue between communities.
