Protests, Heavy Security Mark PM Modi's First Visit to Manipur Since Ethnic Strife

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Manipur on Saturday, over two years after deadly ethnic clashes rocked the state, to inaugurate and lay foundation stones for development projects worth Rs 8,500 crore, officials said. Modi will lay foundation stones for projects worth Rs 7,300 crore at Churachandpur’s Peace Ground, a Kuki-majority region, and inaugurate infrastructure projects totalling Rs 1,200 crore in Meitei-majority Imphal.

His visit comes amid criticism from opposition parties over the delayed prime ministerial presence following violent clashes between Kuki and Meitei communities that left over 260 people dead and thousands homeless since May 2023.

Ahead of the visit, the Manipur government put up large billboards across Imphal, including at Keisampat Junction near the BJP state office, detailing Modi’s programmes at Peace Ground and Kangla Fort. Advisories were issued asking attendees not to bring items like bags, water bottles, keys, or sharp objects. Children below 12 years and sick individuals were also advised to stay away. Air guns have been banned in Churachandpur during the event.

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Security has been tightened in Imphal and Churachandpur. Central and state forces have been deployed, bamboo barricades set up, and round-the-clock inspections of Kangla Fort conducted. Boats from the Manipur Disaster Management Force are patrolling the fort’s moats.

Manipur’s Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba called the visit “very fortunate”, noting no prime minister has visited the state during such critical times. Leading Kuki-Zo groups welcomed the visit as historic, with the Kuki-Zo Council highlighting that a prime minister had not visited the region in nearly four decades.

Some community organisations, however, opposed a planned dance programme during the event. The women’s group ‘Imagi Meira’ urged Modi to ensure the safety of Meitei residents travelling along the National Highway.

Modi’s visit is expected to focus on reconciliation, infrastructure development, and restoring confidence among communities affected by the 2023 ethnic clashes.

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