Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Manipur carries enormous symbolic and political weight, given that it is his first since the ethnic clashes of 2023 turned the state into one of the most volatile regions in the Northeast. By choosing Churachandpur as the focal point of his trip, the Prime Minister is not only acknowledging the epicentre of the violence but also attempting to send a strong message of reconciliation and development. The violence, which claimed over 250 lives and displaced nearly 60,000 people, has left deep scars, particularly among the Kuki-Zo community, who feel betrayed and abandoned by the state and central governments. For them, Modi’s presence is both long overdue and a test of whether New Delhi is serious about addressing their grievances.
The announcement of projects worth over ₹7,300 crore in Churachandpur is being framed by the Prime Minister’s Office as part of a vision for “inclusive, sustainable, and holistic development.” Yet, for locals who have been cut off from the rest of Manipur for more than two years, the promises of development are secondary to more immediate concerns—safety, justice, and dignity. Many residents in Churachandpur point to the lack of schools, hospitals, and even basic services like petrol pumps as evidence that their district has long been neglected. Children have lost years of education, families remain stranded in relief camps, and the trauma of killings, rapes, and forced displacements continues to dominate their daily lives.
Within the Kuki-Zo community itself, reactions to Modi’s visit are divided. The Kuki-Zo Council has extended a warm welcome, calling it a historic occasion since no Prime Minister has visited Churachandpur in nearly four decades. They see in Modi’s presence an opportunity to renew demands for a separate administration under Article 239A, which they argue is necessary to safeguard their peace and survival. On the other hand, many others feel this visit comes far too late and cannot undo years of neglect and suffering. Protests with coffins in Churachandpur earlier this week reflect this simmering anger, with locals accusing the Centre of indifference during their darkest moments.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere in Imphal is notably calmer. Though the scars of conflict remain, residents say life is closer to normal there, with security forces now largely confined to the peripheries where the hills meet the plains. The contrast between the relative stability of Imphal and the fragile, distrustful environment of Churachandpur underscores the divide between the Meitei-dominated valley and the Kuki-Zo inhabited hills. This valley-hill tension, reignited by the 2023 clashes, is at the heart of Manipur’s crisis, and any attempt at reconciliation must address these deep-rooted mistrusts.
The reopening of the NH2 highway, which links Imphal to Churachandpur, is one of the few signs of progress since the violence erupted. For months, the highway symbolised division, lined with burnt houses and patrolled by armed youths. Its reopening suggests that there is space for dialogue and rebuilding, but locals remain sceptical about whether symbolic gestures will translate into real change. Development projects, while important, cannot substitute for addressing the structural grievances—land rights, political representation, and cultural autonomy—that triggered the conflict in the first place.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit also comes against the backdrop of political changes in Manipur. The resignation of Chief Minister Biren Singh in February and the imposition of central rule reflect the erosion of local political authority and the deep crisis of governance in the state. Opposition leaders, particularly Rahul Gandhi, have repeatedly accused Modi of ignoring Manipur for over a year, using his absence as a political weapon to question the government’s seriousness in dealing with the crisis. Now, Modi’s arrival is both a political counter to those criticisms and a high-stakes attempt to reset the narrative by projecting himself as a healer and a builder.
Ultimately, the success of this visit will depend on whether the Prime Minister’s promises of inclusive development resonate with communities that still feel marginalised and insecure. For the people of Churachandpur, the scars of the past two years cannot be erased by infrastructure projects alone. They are looking for acknowledgement of their suffering, meaningful steps toward justice, and assurances that their voices will shape the future of Manipur. Modi’s challenge is to bridge the chasm of trust between the valley and the hills, between promises of development and the lived experiences of displacement and trauma. His visit has raised expectations, but it has also reignited questions about whether the Centre is willing to go beyond symbolism and address the root causes of Manipur’s fractured peace.
