PM Modi Visits Manipur First Since 2023 Ethnic Violence

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first visit in two years to the northeastern state of Manipur, which has been under President's rule since ethnic violence erupted in May 2023, killing over 260 people and displacing thousands. Modi visited both Imphal, a Meitei-majority area, and Churachandpur, a Kuki-dominated region heavily affected by the clashes, symbolizing a balanced approach to the conflict. During his visit, he inaugurated and laid foundation stones for development projects worth around ₹8,500 crore, including urban infrastructure, national highways, IT projects, and all-women markets, signaling the Centre's commitment to inclusive growth. The Kuki-Zo community demanded the creation of a separate Union Territory under Article 239A for peace and security, while the Meitei community condemned a revised Suspension of Operations pact with Kuki militant groups. Modi's visit drew criticism from opposition parties like the DMK, which suggested the visit was politically motivated by upcoming 2027 assembly elections rather than compassion for the ongoing crisis. The visit also included stops in Mizoram, Assam, West Bengal, and Bihar as part of a broader northeastern development initiative.