PM Modi Visits Manipur and Mizoram, Stresses Peace, Development, and Connectivity
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday arrived in Manipur’s Churachandpur district, where he met families displaced by the recent ethnic violence.
At a public interaction at Peace Ground, Modi listened to the grievances of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and assured them of the Centre’s commitment to restoring peace and normalcy in the state.
Speaking to the gathering, Modi emphasized that the development of tribal communities was a national priority. He highlighted the launch of the Dharti Aba Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, a first-of-its-kind programme for tribal upliftment covering more than 500 villages across Manipur.
He also announced that the Centre is arranging funds to strengthen local body governance, which he said was critical for inclusive growth.
The Prime Minister reminded people that “peace is imperative for development,” urging all organizations to walk the path of reconciliation and secure a brighter future for the next generation. He assured them, “I am with you. The Government of India is with you.”
Relief and Development Initiatives
Modi announced that the government is assisting in constructing 7,000 homes for the displaced. A special package of ₹3,000 crore has been approved, including ₹500 crore earmarked for relief.
He said that tribal youth’s aspirations were being addressed at multiple levels and cited ongoing dialogues between hill and valley groups as a step towards long-term peace.
The PM also listed the progress made in healthcare and education in tribal districts. Churachandpur now has a medical college, with improved health infrastructure under the PM’s Divine scheme, which aims to develop modern facilities in five hill districts.
Under Ayushman Bharat, five lakh Manipuris have already availed free treatment worth up to ₹5 lakh, saving nearly ₹350 crore in out-of-pocket expenses.
Modi added that the PM Awas Yojana has brought housing benefits to 60,000 families in Manipur, while 1 lakh families have received free electricity connections. Access to safe drinking water has also improved drastically under the Nal Jal scheme, with connections rising from just a few thousand households earlier to 3.5 lakh households today.
Message of Hope
Referring to Manipur as the “land of courage and grit,” Modi recalled his road journey from Imphal to Churachandpur after bad weather grounded his helicopter. He said the sight of people waving the tricolour along the route moved him deeply.
“This land is full of hope and aspirations. Though violence has cast a shadow, a new dawn of belief is knocking on Manipur’s doors,” he told the gathering.
The Prime Minister inaugurated projects worth ₹7,000 crore in Manipur, including the Urban Roads, Drainage and Asset Management project (₹3,600 crore), five national highway projects (₹2,500 crore), the Manipur Infotech Development (MIND) project, and nine working women’s hostels, among others.
Contrasting Community Responses
While both Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities welcomed Modi’s visit, their reactions reflected sharp differences. The Kuki-Zo groups praised the revised Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement signed with Kuki militant outfits earlier this month, but also demanded a separate Union Territory.
On the other hand, the Meitei civil society group COCOMI condemned the SoO pact and pressed for a National Register of Citizens (NRC) to identify “illegal immigrants” and address what it sees as a demographic imbalance.
Modi acknowledged these differences indirectly, stressing that the Centre is committed to dialogue, mutual respect, and reconciliation. He reiterated that disputes across the Northeast have been steadily resolved in the past decade, paving the way for peace and development.
Visit to Mizoram
Earlier in the day, Modi was scheduled to visit Mizoram, but inclement weather prevented him from flying to Aizawl. Instead, he addressed the people virtually from Lengpui Airport and inaugurated the Bairabi–Sairang railway line, a major connectivity milestone that now places Aizawl on India’s railway map.
Calling it a “historic day,” Modi said the line had been built through difficult terrain, showcasing the skills of engineers and workers. With its completion, Sairang will now be directly connected to Delhi via Rajdhani Express, revolutionizing trade, tourism, and mobility in Mizoram and beyond.
The Prime Minister linked the project to India’s Act East policy and the emerging Northeast Economic Corridor, emphasizing that Mizoram will soon connect to the Bay of Bengal through the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, boosting ties with Southeast Asia.
Development as the Cornerstone
In both states, Modi stressed that the government’s focus was on those who were previously marginalized. He contrasted his government’s approach with “vote bank politics” of the past, saying: “Those who were neglected earlier are now at the forefront of development. The Northeast, once marginalized, is now becoming India’s growth engine.”
The Prime Minister concluded by assuring the people of Manipur and Mizoram that their dreams were central to India’s progress. “We are moving towards becoming the world’s third largest economy, and every corner of the country, including the Northeast, will share this growth,” he said.
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