Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Manipur on September 13, marking his first trip to the state since ethnic clashes in 2023 that left more than 200 people dead. His absence from the conflict-hit region had been a point of sustained criticism from the Opposition for over two years.

Manipur Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel announced that the Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation of projects worth ₹8,500 crore during his visit. Modi will first travel to Churachandpur, one of the worst-affected districts in the ethnic violence, where he is expected to meet some internally displaced families.

“In keeping with his vision of inclusive and sustainable progress, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of projects worth over ₹7,300 crore in Churachandpur,” Goel said at a press briefing. “His visit is expected to pave the way for peace, stability, and development in the state,” he added.

The visit comes amid renewed tensions in Churachandpur, where miscreants reportedly vandalised event preparations just two days earlier. Following the foundation-laying ceremony, Modi will address a public meeting before inaugurating additional projects worth ₹1,200 crore in Imphal.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi downplayed the timing of the visit, saying, “Manipur has been struggling for a long time and the Prime Minister has chosen to go now, which is not a big deal. The real issue today is voter theft.” He accused the BJP of manipulating mandates in Haryana and Maharashtra, adding, “People everywhere are calling them ‘vote chor’ (vote thieves).”

Multi-State Tour

The Manipur stop is part of a larger tour of the northeast and eastern states. Modi’s journey begins in Mizoram earlier in the day, where he will unveil projects worth ₹9,000 crore in Aizawl. Later, he will travel to Assam to participate in the centenary celebrations of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika in Guwahati and deliver a public address.

On September 14, the Prime Minister will once again be in Assam to launch major infrastructure and industrial projects valued at ₹18,530 crore.

His tour will continue to West Bengal on September 15, where he is slated to inaugurate the 16th Combined Commanders’ Conference in Kolkata. He will then proceed to Bihar to open the new terminal building of Purnea airport.