PM Urges Peace, Growth in Manipur

'I'm With You... New Dawn of Hope and Trust is Rising'

- MPOST BUREAU

On his first visit to the violence-hit state in two years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech in Manipur's capital Imphal on Saturday focused on peace and development, calling the 2023 violence in the state as "unfortunate".

The Prime Minister underlined that "our Imphal is the city of possibilities" and the 21st century belongs to the north-east.

Listing out development initiatives, the Prime Minister pointed to a new Civil Secretariat at Mantripukhri, IT SEZ Building and New Police Headquarters, Manipur Bhawans at Delhi and Kolkata, among others.

"Today, development projects worth thousands of crores have been inaugurated and launched for the progress of Manipur. These projects will enhance the ease of living for the people, strengthen infrastructure, and create new opportunities of employment for the youth of Manipur," he said.

Ethnic clashes broke out in Manipur in May 2023 between the valley-dominant Meitei community and the Kuki tribes. Over 250 people were killed in the violence. The violence had also displaced around 60,000 people who are still living in makeshift camps established by the government. Thousands of the state's residents are still unable to return home owing to ongoing tensions. Longstanding tensions between the two groups revolve around competition for land and public jobs, with rights activists accusing local leaders of exacerbating ethnic divisions for political gain.

PM Modi vowed to transform Manipur into a "symbol of peace and prosperity" as he urged all groups to shun violence, assuring the people that the Centre stood firmly with them in rebuilding lives torn apart by the ethnic conflict.

Modi, who landed amidst heavy rain in Manipur's capital Imphal on his maiden visit to the state after mid-2023 ethnic clashes described the state as the "ratna" adorning the crown of "mother India" and lauded the role of the "valiant sons" of Manipur in the success of Operation Sindoor.