Churachandpur: It started pouring in Churachandpur Saturday morning, upsetting the arrangements made to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his first visit to Manipur since ethnic violence erupted in the state in May 2023.
Modi was expected to arrive from Aizawl in a helicopter at around 11.30 am, before going to the Peace Ground to address a public meeting around 1 pm.
There were elaborate arrangements to extend a warm welcome to the Prime Minister along the five-km stretch to the Peace Ground. Wearing their traditional costumes, men, women, and children representing the myriad tribes that inhabit the hill district—Kuki-Zo, Zomi, Vaipei, Hmars, among others—were to line the barricades put up on both sides of the road to welcome him during his roadshow.
But the incessant rains forced the PM to cancel his original plan to travel by helicopter. Instead, he flew to Imphal and then came to Churachandpur’s Peace Ground via road. This meant that the roadshow had to be cancelled.
Just days before Modi’s visit, the Centre extended the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement with armed groups in the state, which is being seen as a major step towards peace and reconciliation in the strife-torn region.
At the Peace Ground, the rain formed of puddles of water everywhere, with attendees having to walk through slush to reach their seats. But this did not dampen their spirit, and they turned up in big numbers to listen to the PM. There were about a dozen Nagas from the Rongmei tribe, who came in their traditional finery. They performed for the crowd as it waited for the Prime Minister.
“I am happy that the PM is coming. We have an opportunity, a golden chance to share our grief, and what we need. I hope that he fulfils what the Kukis demand. Had he come earlier, things would not have deteriorated to the level they did,” said Lhaineilam Baite, an assistant professor at Presidency College in Motbung, Kangpokpi district.
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Excitement & expectations
The Peace Ground brimmed with excitement ahead of the PM’s arrival.
Nenglan, a Kuki in her mid-40s, came from a relief camp at Sangai University, set up for tribals displaced by the ethnic violence. She ran a small tea stall in Imphal but had to flee after rioters burnt houses in her locality.
“I am happy that PM Modi is coming today,” she told ThePrint. “He can see with his own eyes what we are going through. What he hears in Delhi and what the ground situation in Manipur is, are completely different.”
Shalomi Haokip, another internally displaced Kuki, who had come to hear Modi, was a bit apprehensive. “I am really excited about the PM’s visit. But I am afraid that he will tell us that we should live together…I cannot go back to my old home anymore and live alongside the Meiteis,” Haokip said.
Finally, the PM arrived a little after 1 pm, and the Peace Ground broke into loud cheers. On stage, he was presented with traditional shawls woven by the different tribes.
He began his 30-minute address in Hindi by thanking people for coming to listen to him despite the downpour. “I want to salute the passion of the people of Manipur. All of you came here despite the heavy rains. I want to thank you for your love.”
He said the heavy rains did not allow him to take his helicopter to reach here, so he took the 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…”
Acknowledging the violence that had cast its shadow on a “beautiful region”, the PM said, “A short while ago, I met those affected, who are living in relief camps. After meeting them, I can say with confidence that a new dawn of hope and trust is breaking in Manipur.”
The violence that erupted in Manipur in May 2023 has divided the small northeastern state on ethnic lines. While the Kuki-Zo, who are tribal Christians, left their homes and fled to the hill districts inhabited by their community, the non-Christian Meiteis returned to Imphal. Over 250 people have lost their lives in the violence, and close to 60,000 have been displaced.
Appealing to all organisations to move forward on the path of peace and fulfil their dreams, the PM assured the gathering that he is with them. “I am with you, the Government of India is with the people of Manipur.”
The PM’s speech was heavy on promises of development. He said that he had laid the foundation stone of projects worth Rs 7,000 crore the same day. This included a new airport in Imphal, new highways, projects for improved rail and road connectivity, the Railways project linking Jiribam with Imphal, and new medical colleges, among others.
‘Good gesture, but not enough’
During his speech, the crowd cheered every time the Prime Minister chanted ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’.
Soon after the speech concluded, ThePrint spoke to groups of Internally Displaced People from different tribes whom the Prime Minister met before his address. They were glad to have met him and shared their plight, but asked why the PM did not announce anything specific to improve their situation.
“It is good that he laid the foundation stone for projects worth over Rs 7,000 crore. The state will develop. But I was expecting him to announce some package to improve the situation of the IDPs. How is my life going to change?” Chinlam Khongsai asked.
Outside the venue, TH Vaipei, who is in the cabinet of Vaipei Council, a grouping of one of the hill tribes, said, “This (PM’s visit) is a good gesture. But this is not enough to bring normalcy. The people here were expecting more.”
The sentiment found echoes among the civil society organisations that worked to bring people from the community to listen to the PM. “But at least a beginning has been made. Çoming to Manipur was a significant gesture from the PM. Let’s hope that it helps in healing,” Heliangthang, the president of Kuki-Zo Council, told ThePrint.
From Churachandpur, Modi returned to Imphal, where he addressed another public gathering from the Kangla Fort and met IDPs from the non-tribal Meitei community in Imphal.
Here, he emphasised the need to build a strong bridge between the people of the hills and the valleys in Manipur. The PM highlighted Manipur’s significant role in India’s freedom struggle, noting it was here that the Indian National Army first hoisted the national flag, earning it the title “gateway to India’s freedom” from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
“Any kind of violence in Manipur is unfortunate,” Modi said. “This violence is a great injustice to our ancestors and our future generations.” He said the government has approved 7,000 new houses for the displaced.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)