PM Modi to unveil Rs 8,500-cr projects in Manipur, meet violence-hit people today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil 31 projects worth ₹8,500 crore in Manipur today. During his visit to Imphal and Churachandpur, Modi will meet internally displaced persons, address public gatherings, and lay foundations for major infrastructure initiatives amid tight security.

Imphal: In a bid to foster peace and progress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday will unveil 31 projects worth Rs 8,500 crore in Manipur, a state devastated by ethnic violence since May 2023.

Manipur Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel said that the Prime Minister would also interact with the violence-hit Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and would address public gatherings both in Imphal and in Churachandpur.

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Senior police officials said that in view of the prevailing situation in Manipur and the Prime Minister’s visit, massive security arrangements were undertaken in Imphal West, Imphal East, Churachandpur, Bishnupur and other districts. Lieutenant General Abhijit S. Pendharkar, General Officer Commanding of Spear Corps, undertook a comprehensive visit to Churachandpur and other districts as part of his wider review of the security landscape across Manipur.

The top Army officer reviewed the security situation in different districts, including the forward areas along the India-Myanmar border and preparedness of forces in various districts, a Defence spokesman said.

Manipur Chief Secretary Goel said that the Prime Minister would lay foundation stones for various development projects worth Rs 7,300 crore from Peace Ground in Churachandpur, and would also inaugurate infrastructure projects totalling Rs 1,200 crore from the historic Kangla Fort in Imphal. In a significant development, the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), the apex body of the Kuki-Zo tribal community in Manipur, on two successive occasions during the past four days warmly welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Manipur.

The KZC on Friday said that they firmly believe that the Prime Minister’s visit would open a new chapter of hope, recognition, and meaningful engagement for the Kuki-Zo community. “Therefore, we urge all sections of society to extend their full cooperation and join hands in making this visit a truly historic and memorable occasion. We call upon everyone to come out in great numbers on Saturday, dressed in colourful traditional attire, to warmly welcome our Prime Minister and showcase the rich culture, unity, and resilience of the Kuki-Zo people,” KZC’s Secretary, Information and Publicity, Ginza Vualzong said in a statement.

Manipur Chief Secretary Goel said that after he arrives in Churachandpur from Mizoram capital Aizawl, the Prime Minister would first interact with the violence-hit IDPs in the district, who are now staying in various relief camps since the ethnic violence broke out in May 2023.

The Prime Minister would lay the foundation stone of various infrastructural projects to be taken up throughout the state at an event in Peace Ground and would also address the public gathering there, he said.