PM Modi visits Manipur for first time since ethnic violence, meets displaced families

Over 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless after ethnic violence broke out in the state in May 2023.

Churachandpur: In his first visit to the northeastern state of Manipur, which has been marred with ethnic violence since May 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday interacted with displaced people at Churachandpur’s Peace Ground, officials said.

Modi listened to the concerns of the families of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and assured them of the Centre’s commitment to restore peace and normalcy in the state, they said.

The ethnic violence displaced more than 60,000 people, nearly 40,000 from the Kuki Zo community and around 20,000 Meiteis.

While many of the displaced people have moved outside the state, the majority of them have been living in relief camps in poor living conditions with no privacy and no sources of income.

The government has been trying to uplift the lives of the IDPs in the state with skill development programmes, including candle and incense making, the officials said.

Over 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless after ethnic violence broke out in the state in May 2023.

Manipur progressing, claims Modi

PM Modi has claimed that the northwestern state was progressing along with the rest of the nation.

Modi said, “The name Manipur itself has ‘mani’, and this is the gem that will shine for the entire Northeast in the times to come. The Centre has been consistently striving to take Manipur forward on the path of development. As part of this effort, I am here today among all of you.”

“Today, over 3.5 lakh houses in Manipur are getting water,” he said, adding that seven to eight years back, only 25-30,000 houses received.

He said the Centre is providing support to build 7,000 new houses for families who have been displaced by the violence. A special package of about Rs 3,000 crore has recently been approved, he said, adding that Rs 500 crore has been specifically allocated to assist the displaced people.

“Through the Ayushman Bharat scheme, the Centre is providing free treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh. In Manipur alone, more than 2.5 lakh patients have received free treatment under this scheme,” he said.

PM Modi, who faced sharp criticisms from the opposition for not visiting the state despite the prolonged ethnic violence, underlined that the Centre’s efforts were already yielding results. “For Manipur’s development, for the resettlement of displaced families, and for the establishment of peace, the Government of India will continue to support the Manipur government in every possible way,” he said.

PM inaugurates Rs 7,300-crore projects

PM Modi laid the foundation for nine working women’s hostels worth Rs 142 crore, and super-speciality and healthcare facilities to be developed at Rs 105 crore.

Among these projects were Manipur urban roads, drainage and asset management improvement initiative worth Rs 3,647 crore and Manipur Infotech Development (MIND) project worth Rs 550 crore, an official statement said.

Modi laid the foundation stones for infrastructure development in and around Polo Ground at Rs 30 crore, and the strengthening of facilities of 120 schools at a cost of Rs 134 crore in all 16 districts.

Various projects pertaining to rural connectivity, education and tourism in parts of Manipur with a total value of Rs 102 crore were also included on the list of initiatives for which the foundation stones were laid.

Construction of a multipurpose indoor stadium worth Rs 36 crore at Khuman Lampak Sports Complex in Imphal, and upgradation of NH 102 A in Tengnoupal sections worth Rs 502 crore, were also on the list.

(The copy has been updated with the latest information)