Build bridges of harmony between hills and valley: Prime Minister Modi in Manipur

Imphal: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday made a personal outreach to the people of Manipur, a state torn apart by ethnic strife, urging them to “build bridges of harmony between the hills and the valley”, and backed it with the unveiling of projects worth Rs 8,500 crore, aimed at rebuilding infrastructure and restoring hope.Modi’s message was clear, a reconciliation must replace resentment, and development must bridge the divide.“Govt of Bharat is making every possible effort to restore normalcy in Manipur. Today, I assure you, I am with you, the Govt of Bharat is with the people of Manipur,” Modi said.This visit comes at a time when the MHA has taken decisive steps to lay the groundwork for peace. On September 4, the Centre and the Manipur government extended the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with two umbrella groups of armed Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People’s Front (UPF).

This revised pact is a structured overture toward reconciliation, reaffirming Manipur’s territorial integrity while creating space for dialogue, dignity, and healing.Defying heavy rain in Manipur which grounded his helicopter, Modi in a deeply symbolic gesture, travelled 60 km from Imphal in the valley by road to Churachandpur in the hills, where he personally met families displaced by the conflict, listened to their concerns and reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to restoring peace and dignity.

Later while addressing the gathering at the Peace Ground in Churachandpur, Modi said, “The land and region of Manipur is a land of hope and promise. Unfortunately, violence had gripped this magnificent area. A little while ago, I met the affected people who are living in camps. After speaking with them, I can say that a new dawn of hope and confidence is awaiting Manipur.”The ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-zo erupted in May 2023, killing some 260 people and displacing about 60,000 people across 280 relief camps.He said that the government is aiding construction of 7,000 new homes for families that have been displaced and recently, a special package of nearly Rs 3000 crore has been approved, and an additional special provision of 500 crore rupees has been made for helping the displaced persons.Modi’s visit was a powerful gesture of reconciliation, as he reached out to the emotional epicentres of the state’s two deeply divided communities, Meitei and Kuki-Zo—Imphal and Churachandpur respectively, where he unveiled development projects for the entire state, suggesting that the New Delhi sees reconciliation as both possible and necessary.These projects will establish new health and education facilities, enhance the ease of living, strengthen infrastructure, create new employment opportunities, strengthen road infrastructure and empower women, experts said.At Churachandpur, Modi began his Manipur trip by reaffirming a fundamental principle, “Establishing peace is essential for development anywhere,” that set the tone for his message, emphasizing that economic progress and infrastructure growth are impossible without social harmony and a direct appeal to both communities and stakeholders to prioritize stability.Expressing pleasure that recent dialogues have begun with different groups in the hills and valleys for reaching agreements, he said these efforts are part of the centre’s commitment to establishing peace through dialogue, respect, and mutual understanding as he urged all organizations to move forward on the path of peace, fulfil their dreams, and secure the future of their children.In Imphal, the Prime Minister laid out a broader national vision, linking Manipur’s growth to India’s future.“In the 21st century, India is moving forward with a singular goal—the goal of a developed India and achieving this goal requires the development of Manipur,” he said.Underlining that Imphal is a city of possibilities, Modi remarked that he envisions Imphal as one of the developed cities of India that will fulfil the dreams of the youth and accelerate the nation’s progress. Under this vision, several projects have been completed in Imphal under the Smart City Mission, he said, adding that many other projects worth hundreds of crores are also progressing rapidly.“Manipur possesses a rich heritage that spans thousands of years. The cultural roots of the region are deep and strong. Manipur is the crown jewel adorning the crest of Mother India,” said PM Modi, emphasizing the need to continuously strengthen Manipur’s developmental image.He said that any form of violence in Manipur is unfortunate and such violence is a grave injustice to both our ancestors and future generations. He stressed the importance of consistently advancing Manipur on the path of peace and development.The Prime Minister highlighted Manipur’s inspiring contribution to India’s freedom struggle and national defence and recalled that it was on Manipur’s soil where the Indian National Army first hoisted India’s own flag. He quoted Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, who referred to Manipur as the gateway to India’s independence and paid tribute to the many brave martyrs from this land.He said that centre and state are moving forward with the goal of making Manipur a symbol of peace, prosperity, and progress and assured that both govts “will continue to cooperate in Manipur’s development, in resettling the displaced people at appropriate locations as soon as possible, and in establishing peace.”“The 21st century belongs to the East and the NorthEast,” Modi declared, underscoring the Centre’s unwavering focus on Manipur’s development.He noted that before 2014, the state’s growth rate was less than one percent, but today, Manipur is progressing many times faster. Modi announced that a new phase of infrastructure development has begun, with the pace of road construction and National Highway expansion increasing manifold. He added that rapid work is underway to extend road connectivity to every village, positioning Manipur as a rising engine of India’s growth story.