Modi Visits Manipur: A Promise-Filled Stop

Swift Summary

• Ethnic violence erupted on May 3, 2023, between Manipur’s Meitei community (53% of the population) and tribal Kuki-Zo groups (26%), leading to over two years of unrest.
• around 250 people have died, with over 60,000 displaced due to ethnic clashes primarily driven by disputes over land rights and Scheduled Tribe status.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Manipur for the first time since the violence began.He made two public appearances in Imphal (Meitei-dominated valley) and Churachandpur (Kuki-Zo-dominated hills), inaugurating projects worth ₹8,500 crore in total.
• Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) shared grievances with Modi; villagers accompanied his convoy amid heightened security through “buffer zones” set up to keep communities separated post-violence.
• Infrastructure issues remain severe: connectivity via NH-2 is limited; medical access is hindered for affected regions like Churachandpur; tension around buffer zones still divides hill and valley populations.
• Justice has been elusive for victims: trials in most cases are pending despite several high-profile incidents of atrocities during ethnic clashes.

Indian Opinion Analysis

PM Modi’s visit underscores a critical juncture in Manipur’s ongoing humanitarian crisis. Investments totaling ₹8,500 crore suggest an economic advancement strategy aiming to bridge divisive infrastructure gaps-yet trust-building among sharply polarized communities appears absent from immediate plans.

Persistent segregation through buffer zones highlights unresolved mistrust while limited justice mechanisms for victims undermine reconciliation efforts. The reopening of essential routes like NH-2 may revive trade but falls short of addressing systemic inequities that deepen conflict.

Manipur’s crisis extends beyond physical reconstruction-psychological healing and equitable governance are needed urgently. The government must ensure safety alongside sustainable solutions that promote unity rather than perpetuate divisions exacerbated by political inertia post-conflict crises.

Read More: The Hindu