Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited Manipur today and addressed public gatherings at Churachandpur and Imphal, refrained from making any reference to the ongoing ethnic crisis that has gripped the state for nearly two years. The Prime Minister interacted with internally displaced persons (IDPs) at both districts but chose not to mention the unrest during his speeches.
Despite opposition from several civil society organisations and calls for a boycott by rebel groups, large crowds turned out in both Churachandpur and Imphal to welcome the Prime Minister braving the incessant rains. Originally scheduled to fly in directly from Mizoram to Churachandpur by helicopter, bad weather forced Modi to land at Bir Tikendrajit Airport in Imphal. He then travelled by road to Churachandpur, where he laid the foundation stone for development projects worth over Rs.7,300 crore before returning to Imphal to address a public meeting at the historic Kangla Fort.
In Imphal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated multiple development projects worth over ¹ 1,200 crore in Imphal, reiterating the Centre’s commitment to transform Manipur into a hub of growth and opportunity.
Addressing a large gathering at Kangla, the Prime Minister said the projects will enhance ease of living, create new jobs for the youth, and strengthen the state’s infrastructure. Among the initiatives, he highlighted two key ventures—the Manipur Urban Roads Project, with an investment of over ¹ 3,600 crore, and the Manipur Infotech Development Project, worth more than ¹ 500 crore. Modi said these would not only improve road connectivity but also inject “new energy into Manipur’s bright future.”
He contrasted Manipur’s progress with earlier decades, claiming that before 2014 the state’s growth rate was below one percent, but has now accelerated “many times faster.” He said road construction, National Highway expansion, and rural connectivity have all increased significantly in recent years.
The Prime Minister envisioned Imphal as one of India’s developed cities under the Smart City Mission, with new projects already completed and more underway. He noted that the state’s emerging startup ecosystem, IT Special Economic Zone, and the long-demanded Civil Secretariat building would further boost Manipur’s development trajectory.
Modi emphasized women’s central role in the state’s economy, citing the historic Ima Keithel market as a model of women’s empowerment. He announced the inauguration of four new Ima Markets and stressed that “women empowerment is a central pillar of India’s development vision.”
Highlighting the government’s efforts to ease living costs, Modi announced that GST reductions on essential goods and services would benefit households, small businesses, and the tourism sector. He said lower prices of soap, shampoo, cement, food services, and hotels would particularly help families, guesthouse owners, and taxi operators.
The Prime Minister also referred to flood-related challenges, assuring that projects to mitigate the recurring problem are underway. He recalled Manipur’s proud contributions to India’s freedom struggle, citing Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and the hoisting of the INA flag on Manipuri soil, and said the renaming of Mount Harriet in the Andamans to Mount Manipur was a national tribute to the state’s martyrs.
Paying homage to Shaheed Deepak Chingkham, who died in Operation Sindoor, Modi lauded the sacrifices of Manipuri soldiers and athletes, noting that “without Manipuri culture, Indian culture is incomplete, and without Manipuri athletes, Indian sports remain incomplete.” He underlined the importance of the National Sports University, the Marjing Polo Complex, and Olympian Park in nurturing the state’s sporting talent.
Modi announced that 7,000 new houses had been sanctioned for displaced families and that a special package of about ¹ 3,000 crore, including ¹ 500 crore for displaced persons, had been approved. He stressed that returning those in camps to normal life remained a top government priority.
Concluding his address, the Prime Minister called on Manipur to become a powerful centre of India’s growth, urging unity between hills and valley.
Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and other dignitaries were present at the event.
PM Modi travels to Churachandpur by road
Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled to Churachandpur from Imphal International Airport by road on Saturday after inclement weather prevented helicopter movement. The road journey covered a distance of around 61 kilometres.
Authorities had informed the Prime Minister that the weather conditions, marked by rain, were not suitable for helicopter travel to Churachandpur. The rally venue was located about one and a half hours away by road.
After the programme at Churachandpur, Prime Minister Modi returned to Imphal by road and proceeded towards Kangla Fort.
At Churachandpur, the Prime Minister described Manipur as a land of courage and determination, calling the state’s hills a priceless gift of nature symbolising the hard work of its people. He highlighted the culture, traditions, and diversity of the region as strengths of India, and said the very name “Manipur” contained the word “Mani,” symbolising a jewel that would enhance the brilliance of the Northeast.
Modi informed that projects worth about Rs.7,000 crore were inaugurated to improve the lives of people, especially tribal communities in the hills, with new facilities in health and education. He also underlined connectivity challenges in the border state, noting that since 2014, the government had increased funding for road and rail infrastructure and extended connectivity to remote villages. He cited Rs.3,700 crore already spent on National Highways and projects worth Rs.8,700 crore currently underway.
The Prime Minister pointed to the Jiribam–Imphal railway line that will connect the state capital to the national rail network, the new Imphal Airport built at a cost of Rs.400 crore, and the launch of helicopter services. He said these steps were improving facilities, generating jobs, and strengthening Manipur’s integration with the rest of the country.
Citing government welfare initiatives, Modi said nearly 60,000 houses had been constructed for the poor under housing schemes, more than one lakh families had received free electricity connections, and over 3.5 lakh households now had access to tap water under the Jal Jeevan Mission. He also highlighted the establishment of a medical college in Churachandpur, expansion of health services in hill districts under the PM-DIVINE scheme, and free treatment provided to 2.5 lakh patients in Manipur under Ayushman Bharat.
Although he interacted with displaced families in relief camps, the Prime Minister made only a brief reference to unrest, expressing confidence that “a new dawn of peace” was approaching. He announced the construction of 7,000 new houses for displaced families, approval of a special package of Rs.3,000 crore, and Rs.500 crore earmarked for rehabilitation.
Concluding his address, Modi said development of every tribal community was a national priority, highlighting initiatives such as the Dharati Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan and 18 new Eklavya Model Residential Schools being built in the state.