Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a significant trip to Manipur on Saturday—his first since the ethnic clashes broke out there in May 2023. The visit kicked off a wave of mixed reactions, with opposition leaders slamming the timing while allies and local officials cheered the new development projects in the Northeast.
Congress MP Manoj Kumar didn’t hold back in his criticism. “People in Manipur can tell you exactly what’s been going on for the last 2-3 years,” he said. “The Prime Minister is only stepping in now, but he should’ve acted two years ago. He needed to visit earlier to understand the real struggles folks are facing.”
Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput piled on, calling the delay heartbreaking. “Manipur has been in turmoil for two years,” he pointed out. “Millions from Kuki and Meitei communities are stuck in refugee camps. Thousands of women have lost their dignity, with mobs parading them publicly. It’s sad that PM Modi is just noticing now. Remember, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has visited the area three times already.”
On a brighter note, leaders in Mizoram warmly welcomed Modi’s stopover. Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar thanked him profusely: “I’m grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for opening the new railway station in Mizoram. Shoutout to the Railway Minister and the whole team who made this happen.”
Earlier that day, PM Modi launched the long-awaited 51.38-km Bairabi-Sairang railway line, linking Aizawl to India’s national rail network. This makes Aizawl the fourth Northeast capital with rail access, joining Guwahati, Agartala, and Itanagar. He also started three new trains and rolled out development initiatives worth over Rs 9,000 crore to boost the region.
After Mizoram, Modi headed to Manipur, where he plans to speak at public rallies in Churachandpur and Imphal. He’s set to meet local MLAs, civil society groups, and community leaders to discuss key issues.
Security was tight ahead of the visit. Top military officials, including Lieutenant General Abhijit S. Pendharkar, reviewed the situation in Churachandpur and along the India-Myanmar border to ensure everything stays calm.
Manipur has been under President’s Rule since February 13, after former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh stepped down amid the ongoing violence between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. The state continues to grapple with these deep-rooted tensions, and Modi’s visit has everyone watching closely for signs of progress in the Manipur ethnic violence situation.
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