Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday assured the people of Manipur that “a new dawn is knocking on the doors” of the state as he made his first visit since ethnic violence erupted there in May 2023.
Speaking in Churachandpur, the Prime Minister called Manipur “a land of hope and aspiration” but noted that violence had “cast its shadow” over the region. “A short while ago, I met those living in relief camps. After meeting them, I can say with confidence that a new dawn of hope and trust is rising in Manipur,” he said.
Manipur has been grappling with deep-seated tensions between the Meitei community and the Kuki tribes. Ethnic clashes in 2023 claimed more than 250 lives and displaced nearly 60,000 people. Internet services were suspended for months, and many displaced families remain unable to return to their homes due to ongoing tensions.
PM Modi stressed that peace is essential for development to flourish. “In the past 11 years, many conflicts and disputes in the Northeast have been resolved. Recently, negotiations have taken place in the hills and valleys with different groups. These are part of efforts by the Government of India to establish peace while giving importance to dialogue, respect, and mutual understanding,” he said, urging all organisations to “move forward on the path of peace.”
The Prime Minister also highlighted major development projects — a new airport in Imphal, new highways, expanded road and rail connectivity, including the Jiribam–Imphal railway line, and medical colleges. “There was a time when decisions made in Delhi took decades to reach here. Today, our Churachandpur, our Manipur, are progressing together with the rest of the nation,” he said.
Modi underscored his government’s welfare measures, noting that “nearly 60,000 houses have already been built here” under the housing-for-the-poor initiative. “In the past years, more than 15 crore people across the country have received water from taps. In Manipur, until 7–8 years ago, only 25–30,000 houses had pipe connections. Today, more than 3.5 lakh houses here have water from taps,” he said.
Reiterating India’s economic rise, the Prime Minister said, “We are going to become the world’s third-largest economy very soon,” assuring Manipur that the Centre is committed to “bringing life back on track” in the violence-hit state.
