PM Modi's Planned Visit to Manipur: A Bid for Peace or Political Calculus After 28 Months of Silence?
Imphal, September 6, 2025 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to visit Manipur on September 13-14, his first trip to the state since ethnic violence erupted in May 2023, claiming over 250 lives and displacing more than 60,000 people. The visit, coming after 28 months of silence, has sparked intense debate over whether it signals a genuine push for peace or a calculated political move ahead of potential state elections. With Manipur under President's Rule since February 2025, the timing and intent of Modi's visit are under scrutiny.
A State Divided by Conflict
The violence in Manipur began on May 3, 2023, following protests over a Manipur High Court recommendation to grant Scheduled Tribe status to the Meitei community, which clashed with the interests of the Kuki-Zo tribes in the hills. The ensuing clashes led to widespread arson, killings, and sexual violence, dividing the state into Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley and Kuki-dominated hill regions, with central forces maintaining tense buffer zones. Over 250 people have died, and more than 60,000 remain in relief camps, with sporadic violence continuing despite a fragile ceasefire.
The Supreme Court, in August 2023, labeled the situation an "absolute breakdown of constitutional machinery," urging central intervention. Yet, PM Modi has faced criticism for his prolonged silence, neither visiting the state nor directly engaging with its leaders or affected communities. The imposition of President's Rule in February 2025, following the collapse of the BJP-led state government, underscored the crisis's severity, but the PM's absence has been a focal point of opposition attacks.
Details of the Visit
Modi's visit is expected to be a whirlwind four-hour affair, part of a broader Northeast tour including Mizoram and Assam. In Manipur, he is likely to visit Imphal and Churachandpur, meet displaced residents in relief camps, and inaugurate development projects worth over ₹10,000 crore, including infrastructure initiatives like the Bairabi-Sairang railway line, which could enhance regional connectivity. Public rallies are also planned, with the government framing the visit as a step toward reconciliation and stability.
Recent developments, such as the renewal of the Suspension of Operations agreement with Kuki militant groups and the reopening of National Highway 2, have been cited as creating a conducive environment for the visit. Security preparations are intense, with a drone ban in Churachandpur and road repairs underway, though some local voices on social media platform X have called these efforts performative, pointing to forced community preparations.
Political Motives Under the Lens
The timing of the visit, after over two years of inaction, has fueled skepticism. With assembly elections potentially looming—though no dates are confirmed—critics argue the visit is a pre-poll strategy to bolster the BJP's image in the Northeast, where it faced setbacks in the 2024 parliamentary elections. Congress leaders have been vocal: Manipur Congress President Meghchandra Singh called it "too late" and tied it to electoral motives, while MP Bimol Akoijam labeled the BJP's silence an "admission of guilt." Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh dubbed the visit "TLTL—too little too late," noting Modi's refusal to meet Manipur's MLAs, MPs, or civil society groups over the past 28 months.
Posts on X reflect similar sentiments. Assam Congress President Gaurav Gogoi described the visit as "the beginning of a long journey toward peace," but criticized the delay. Others, like Hmar journalist David Buhril, highlighted the rushed preparations, suggesting a focus on optics over substance. Meitei groups have also expressed discontent, rejecting the recent Kuki ceasefire as "one-sided," raising fears that the visit could exacerbate tensions if not handled carefully.
Development Push and Regional Strategy
The government has paired the visit with a broader Northeast development agenda. The 2025-26 Union Budget allocated ₹2,898 crore for Manipur, including ₹523 crore for internally displaced persons (IDPs), ₹542 crore for security, and funds for debt relief. This aligns with India's "Act East Policy" and a strategic focus on border regions, often described as part of a "Mangal Mahadasha" phase emphasizing robust development and defense.
However, doubts persist about the visit's impact. Some X users have framed it as part of larger geopolitical "experiments" in the Northeast, hinting at external influences. Others question whether the development projects will address the root causes of the ethnic divide or merely serve as symbolic gestures.
A Make-or-Break Moment?
As Manipur braces for Modi's visit, residents and observers are divided. For some, it offers hope of dialogue and healing; for others, it’s a belated attempt to salvage political credibility. The challenge lies in navigating the deep ethnic fault lines and delivering tangible outcomes beyond rallies and project launches. As one X post starkly noted, "Visiting Manipur won’t be easy for PM Modi after two years." Whether this visit marks a turning point or fuels further controversy will depend on its execution and follow-through in the weeks ahead.
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