Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his first visit to the strife-torn state of Manipur since the start of ethnic violence in May 2023, on Saturday addressed a public gathering in Churachandpur and laid the foundation stones of development projects worth Rs 7,300 crore.
During his address in the Kuki community-dominated area of Churachandpur, PM Modi said, “I bow before the people of Manipur… Manipur is a land of courage and valour.”
The Prime Minister brought with him the message of peace and stressed it is paramount for development. “I urge all outfits to embark on the path of peace to secure your children’s future,” he stated.
“Today, I promise you that I am with you, the Government of India is with you, the people of Manipur. The Government of India is making every possible effort to bring life back on track in Manipur. For families who have lost their homes, our government is helping to build 7,000 new houses…,” the PM added.
#WATCH | Churachandpur, Manipur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, “The land of Manipur is a land of hope and aspiration. Unfortunately, violence had cast its shadow on this beautiful region. A short while ago, I met those affected who are living in relief camps. After meeting… pic.x.com/JeVE14uxU5
— ANI (@ANI) September 13, 2025
Modi also noted that his government, since coming to power in 2014, has given special stress on improving connectivity to Manipur. “The Centre has increased budget allocation for railway and road connectivity projects in Manipur,” he told the crowd.
“I want to salute the passion of the people of Manipur. All of you came here despite the heavy rain, I want to thank you for your love. Due to heavy rains, my helicopter could not come, so I decided to come via road. The scenes I saw on the road, I thank the Almighty that my helicopter did not work today. The way I saw the youth and elderly people of Manipur carrying Tiranga in their hands, I can never forget this moment in my life…,” PM Modi said at the start of his address.
Calling Manipur a ‘gem’, Modi said the state will become an example for the entire Northeast. “The name Manipur itself has ‘Mani’, a gem that will enhance the shine of the entire Northeast in the coming times. A while ago, from this very platform, the foundation stone for projects worth around Rs 7,000 crore was laid. These projects will improve the lives of people, especially the tribal communities living in the hills of Manipur. They will provide new facilities in health and education for you all,” he said.
PM Modi arrived in state capital Imphal from Mizoram and was received at the airport by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel. The Prime Minister then travelled to Churachandpur from the state capital by road as his helicopter could not take off due to heavy rainfall in the region. In Churachandpur, he was welcomed warmly by the locals.
#WATCH | Manipur: PM Modi being welcomed in Churachandpur as he arrives in the city. PM also interacts with the locals of the city.
PM will lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over Rs 7,300 crore at Churachandpur today. The projects include Manipur… pic.x.com/wvDxi3P28i
— ANI (@ANI) September 13, 2025
At Churachandpur, PM Modi laid the foundation stones for projects worth Rs 7,300 crore. These include Manipur Urban Roads, drainage and asset management improvement project, five national highways projects, and Manipur Infotech Development project among others.
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After his Churachandpur engagement, the Prime Minister returned to the state capital Imphal where he met people from the Meitei community who were displaced during the ethnic violence. The PM will also inaugurate several projects worth Rs 1,200 crore, including the Civil Secretariat, IT SEZ building and New Police Headquarters at Mantripukhri, Manipur Bhawans at Delhi and Kolkata, and all-women Ima Markets in four districts. He is also scheduled to address a public meeting at the Kangla Fort.
Churachandpur is Kuki-dominated area and it was among the worst-affected during the ethnic violence in which over 260 people were killed in the state and thousands were displaced.
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Before leaving for Manipur, PM Modi had stated that the Centre was committed to “inclusive and all-round development of Manipur”.
The Congress, which has been criticising the PM for not visiting Manipur ever since the violence broke out there in 2023, today called Modi’s visit to Manipur a “pit stop”. It alleged that the trip is no more than a “tokenism” and a “grave insult” to the people of the northeastern state.