Manipur Holds Its Breath: Modi’s Visit Seen as Test of Healing and Leadership
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Imphal
- Sep 12, 2025
- 667
After more than two years of silence marked by turmoil, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is finally setting foot in Manipur. The visit, steeped in symbolism, is not just about inaugurating projects worth thousands of crores — it is also about addressing wounds that have festered since ethnic violence tore through the state in May 2023.
Churachandpur First: Symbolism and Sensitivity
In a move loaded with meaning, Modi’s first stop will be Churachandpur (CCpur) — the epicentre of the blood-soaked conflict between the Kuki and Meitei communities. Here, he will not only lay foundation stones for major projects but also meet families displaced by the clashes that left more than 260 people dead and thousands homeless.
Officials say this is more than protocol: it is an act of acknowledgement. For many in CCpur, the prime minister’s presence itself is a long-awaited gesture of recognition.
Kangla Fort Awaits: Development as Reassurance
From CCpur, the prime minister will head to Imphal, where Kangla Fort — a historic seat of Manipuri identity — has been prepared for his address to the people. Around 2.30 pm, he is expected to announce an ambitious package of ₹8,500 crore in projects, combining fresh foundations (₹7,300 crore) with inaugurations (₹1,200 crore).
The projects span connectivity, infrastructure, and welfare, designed not only to rebuild roads and institutions but also to restore faith in governance.
Imphal Dressed in Celebration
Imphal city, often under the shadow of curfews and blockades, presented a different picture on Friday. Streets turned festive with giant billboards, colourful banners, and towering gates welcoming the prime minister. A 20-foot-high ceremonial arch, boldly inscribed “Welcome Shri Narendra Modi ji,” stood as a symbol of political theatre near the BJP state headquarters.
The seven-kilometre stretch from Imphal airport to Kangla Fort gleamed with fresh paint, cleaned medians, and barricades standing guard — a rare moment when preparation itself spoke of both anticipation and security concerns.
Politics in the Shadows
The prime minister’s arrival comes amid unrelenting criticism. For months, opposition parties accused Modi of neglecting Manipur, questioning his absence even as the state descended into one of India’s bloodiest internal conflicts in decades. His visit, delayed but decisive, is being watched not only by Manipuris but by the nation at large.
For many, the visit is more than just optics. It is seen as the beginning of reconciliation — an attempt to bridge communities divided by blood and mistrust. By starting in Churachandpur and ending at Kangla Fort, Modi’s itinerary traces a symbolic arc: from the ground zero of conflict to the heart of Manipuri pride.
A State Holds Its Breath
As Modi lands in Manipur, the atmosphere is a mix of hope, skepticism, and political calculation. For the displaced, it is a chance to be heard. For the ruling BJP, it is an opportunity to reclaim political ground. For ordinary Manipuris, it is a moment to see whether promises will finally translate into peace and progress.
The prime minister’s visit, scripted with precision and layered with significance, is not just another stop in his political calendar. It is a test — of leadership, of empathy, and of the government’s ability to heal a fractured land.