Appealing to both hill and valley communities, Modi said that dialogue was essential for a peaceful and progressive Manipur and stressed that a bridge must be built between the communities.
Photo: ANI
Seeking to heal wounds and restore trust, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday provided an olive balm to Manipur’s trouble-torn communities urging reconciliation and said that the Centre stood firmly with the people of the state in order to restore peace and normalcy and bring back the state to the path of peace and progress.
In his biggest message to the people of Manipur two years after the deadly violence rocked the state, the Prime Minister said, “Today, I promise you that I am with you. The Government of India is with you, and the people of Manipur are together… We want to make Manipur a symbol of peace, and prosperity.”
Advertisement
Appealing to both hill and valley communities, Modi said that dialogue was essential for a peaceful and progressive Manipur and stressed that a bridge must be built between the communities.
Advertisement
“I appeal to all organisations to think for the future of their children and work towards the solution. The Centre has initiated talks with various organisations of the hills and valley for reconciliation. Dialogue and mutual respect are the basis of all these talks,” he said, adding that those displaced by the violence would be resettled.
Describing the land of Manipur as a soil of hope and aspiration, Modi said it was unfortunate that violence had gripped this remarkable region. He shared that he had met people staying in relief camps and expressed confidence that a new dawn of hope and trust was arriving in Manipur.
Affirming that the government was making every possible effort to bring life back on track, he announced the construction of 7,000 new houses for displaced families under a special package of Rs 3,000 crore, including Rs 500 crore earmarked for relief.
“Establishing peace is essential for development in any region, and over the past eleven years, many long-standing conflicts and disputes in the North East have been resolved,” he said.
To fast-track development in the state, the Prime Minister unveiled projects worth Rs 1,900 crore across health, education and infrastructure in both the hills and valley areas of Manipur.
He underscored that the culture, traditions and diversity of Manipur were a strength for India, remarking that the very name of the state contains “Mani,” symbolising a jewel that would enhance the brilliance of the Northeast.
Highlighting connectivity as a priority, Modi said the Jiribam–Imphal railway project worth Rs 22,000 crore would soon link the state capital with the national rail network. He also pointed to the newly constructed Imphal Airport, built at a cost of Rs 400 crore, which has strengthened air connectivity, and noted that helicopter services had been launched to other destinations from there.
The Prime Minister said the new initiatives were aimed at transforming lives, creating better health and education facilities, and setting Manipur firmly on the path of peace, prosperity, and progress.
Advertisement
