Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with victims of ethnic clashes in Churachandpur, Manipur, earlier this afternoon, his first visit in two years to the northeastern state since riots erupted in 2023.
Those killed were internally displaced individuals who had lost their homes as a result of the fighting. Videos captured the Prime Minister greeting young children, being given a bouquet and a painting by them before his address at the Peace Ground in the town was due.
At the meet-and-greet, PM Modi also wore a hat with bird feathers, a gift from one of the children.
The Prime Minister unveiled foundation stones for initiatives amounting to more than Rs 7,300 crore in Churachandpur. These projects encompass development of urban roads, highway projects, and several working women's hostels among other infrastructure projects.
At Peace Ground in the later part of the day, PM Modi spoke of interacting with individuals in relief camps and stressed how peace is a must for development in Manipur.
"More than 7,000 new houses are being constructed for those who were displaced," he stated, further stating that attempts are being made to restore normalcy in the state.
He also emphasized plans to increase connectivity in Manipur.
"We did the two prongs: we raised the budget for the railway and the road. We constructed rural roads. Rs 3700 crore have been utilized on the national highways in Manipur. Earlier, it was so hard to reach villages. Now, there is road connectivity in many villages," the Prime Minister said. He further stated that rail connectivity too is being upgraded and that Imphal would be connected to the national rail network soon.
Aside from this, PM Modi will also inaugurate Rs 1,200 crore worth of projects in the state capital, Imphal.
The Prime Minister's visit acquires special importance in the wake of ethnic violence that had crippled Manipur.
The conflicts, which started in May 2023, are between the valley-dominant Meitei society and the Kuki tribes that occupy control in some of the hill areas. The conflict began due to questions about land rights and political representation and has claimed over 260 lives and left almost 50,000 internally displaced individuals.
Meiteis in the 'general' category aspire to inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes category, whereas the Kukis, who have ethnic connections with individuals of Myanmar's Chin State as well as Mizoram, are agitating for a separate administrative division within Manipur on grounds of discrimination and unequal political power and distribution of resources with the Meiteis.
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