PM Modi in Manipur today, to visit Meitei-majority Imphal Valley, Kuki heartland Churachandpur

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to embark on a three-day trip to six states in India’s northeast and east on Saturday. During his visits to Mizoram, Manipur, Assam, West Bengal and Bihar, the prime minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of projects worth over Rs. 71,850 crore.

One of the stops in the prime minister’s trip will be Manipur, where PM Modi plans to inaugurate and lay the foundation for over Rs 8,500 crore. The state has grappled with conflict for a while, and the prime minister’s visit aims to shift focus towards development goals. PM Modi is scheduled to arrive in the Kuki heartland of Churachandpur by helicopter from Mizoram.

This will be his first stop on the tour. In Mizoram, PM Modi will address a rally at the appropriately named Peace Ground and launch projects with a combined budget of Rs 7,300 crore. The itinerary would then shift to Imphal’s historic Kangla Fort, where he will inaugurate another Rs 1,200 crore worth of projects.

This will be PM Modi’s first trip to Manipur since the state witnessed the outbreak of ethnic violence in May 2023. The conflict was triggered by a high court order asking the government to consider giving Meitei ST status. The ruling upset the Kukis, who feared that the numerically dominant Meiteis would take their share of resources, which ultimately resulted in violent protests and ethnic clashes.

PM Modi to visit relief camp in Manipur

According to The Times of India, the prime minister is expected to interact with people displaced by the Meitei-Kuki conflict, living in relief camps. An official statement said that PM Modi’s planned engagements were “in line with his commitment to inclusive, sustainable and holistic development of Manipur”.

Over 260 people have been killed, and more than 60,000 civilians have been displaced in the cycle of violence since May 2023. The chaos in the state eventually led to CM N Biren Singh’s resignation on February 9, 2025, which was followed by the imposition of presidential rule on February 13.

PM Modi is planning to inaugurate multiple projects in the state. This includes Manipur Urban Roads, drainage, and asset management improvement project worth over Rs 3,600 crore; 5 National Highway projects worth more than Rs 2,500 crore; Manipur Infotech Development (MIND) project, Working Women Hostels at 9 locations, among others.

“The Prime Minister will also inaugurate multiple development projects worth more than Rs 1,200 crore at Imphal. They include the Civil Secretariat at Mantripukhri; IT SEZ Building and New Police Headquarters at Mantripukhri; Manipur Bhawans at Delhi and Kolkata; and Ima Markets, a unique all-women’s market, in 4 districts,” the government said in a statement.

The weather continues to remain a major threat, with the administration keeping a wary eye on the skies amid IMD’s forecast of heavy rain and thunderstorms coinciding with the prime ministerial visit. Over 10,000 police, CRPF, BSF, Assam Rifles and disaster management personnel have been deployed at both venues as part of the multi-layer security designed to ensure a hitch-free trip for the PM, TOI reported.

Meanwhile, in Mizoram, PM Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the Rs 8,070-crore Bairabi-Sairang rail route connecting the state capital Aizawl with the expansive Indian Railways network. He is also scheduled to flag off three new express trains, including a Rajdhani Express. From Manipur, PM Modi will travel to Assam to participate in events commemorating the 100th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika.