IMPHAL: PM Modi begins a two-day trip to three states of the Northeast on Saturday, combining outreach with a Rs 36,000-crore development outlay focused as much on providing the healing touch to conflict-scarred Manipur as on giving the region an economic fillip. Modi is scheduled to arrive in the Kuki heartland of Churachandpur by helicopter from Mizoram, the first stop of his tour, to address a rally at the appropriately named Peace Ground and launch projects with a combined budget of Rs 7,300 crore. The itinerary then shifts to Imphal’s historic Kangla Fort, where he will inaugurate another Rs 1,200 crore worth of projects. This is PM Modi’s first visit to the state since the outbreak of ethnic violence in May 2023, triggered by a high court order asking the govt to consider giving Meitei ST status. Resentful that the order would help the numerically dominant Meiteis eat into their share of reserved jobs and seats in educational institutions, Kukis erupted in violent protest, leading to a conflagration that singed the state and destroyed the spell of peace the state had enjoyed for a decade.
Modi is also expected to interact with people displaced by the Meitei-Kuki conflict and still living in relief camps. An official statement said Modi’s planned engagements were “in line with his commitment to inclusive, sustainable and holistic development of Manipur”.Over 260 people were killed and 60,000-odd displaced in the cycle of violence since May 2023, leading to N Biren Singh resigning as CM on Feb 9. President’s rule was clamped on Feb 13.Amid enthusiasm about the PM’s maiden visit in 29 months of ethnic tensions, the militant CorCom – a conglomerate of six proscribed Meitei outfits – struck a discordant note by declaring a statewide shutdown to protest what it terms “a proxy war” by the Centre. The organisation had called for a boycott of each of PM Modi’s previous visits.Weather remains the other threat, with the administration keeping a wary eye on the skies amid IMD’s forecast of heavy rain and thunderstorms coinciding with the prime ministerial visit.Over 10,000 police, CRPF, BSF, Assam Rifles and disaster management personnel have been deployed at both venues as part of the multi-layer security designed to ensure a hitch-free trip for the PM, sources said.“Peace is not only the absence of violence but also presence of trust, harmony and reconciliation. PM’s visit will pave the way for peace, normalcy and accelerated growth,” chief secretary Puneet Kumar Goel said. “Manipur is not just a border state but a central pillar of India’s Act East Policy, a gateway to Southeast Asia and a proud guardian of India’s diversity.”In Mizoram, Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the Rs 8,070-crore Bairabi-Sairang rail route connecting state capital Aizawl with the expansive Indian Railways network. He will also flag off three new express trains, including a Rajdhani Express.Another project in the pipeline is the Chhimtuipui river bridge on the Lawngtlai-Siaha route, meant to provide all-weather connectivity and reduce travel time by two hours. The project is part of the strategy to support cross-border commerce under the Kaladan Multimodal Transit framework.Modi will travel to Assam from Manipur to participate in events commemorating 100th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika.
