IMPHAL : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, September 13 landed in Manipur, where he interacted with displaced families in Churachandpur and lauded the resilience of the state’s people.

Upon his arrival in Churachandpur, the Prime Minister received a warm welcome from locals. Addressing the gathering, he recounted how heavy rains had grounded his helicopter, forcing him to travel by road. Describing the experience as “a blessing in disguise,” PM Modi said the detour allowed him to witness the people’s enthusiasm firsthand. “It was a memorable journey. The energy and warmth of the people along the way deeply touched me,” he remarked.

During the visit, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for projects worth over ?8,500 crore, aimed at strengthening infrastructure and expanding healthcare access in the state. He emphasized that the initiatives would transform lives by boosting connectivity, improving facilities, and creating opportunities for local communities.

Calling Manipur “the land of courage and determination,” PM Modi praised the spirit of its people and the natural beauty of its hills, which he said reflect the relentless hard work and resilience of the state’s citizens. “I salute the spirit of the people of Manipur,” he said while assuring the government’s continued support for the state’s development.

However, the visit drew sharp criticism from the Congress. The party termed the trip “tokenism,” alleging that it amounted to a “pit stop” and a “grave insult” to the people of Manipur, given the state’s ongoing challenges.

The Prime Minister’s visit comes at a time when Manipur continues to grapple with displacement and unrest, underscoring the complex political and social backdrop against which his development push is being rolled out.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today appealed for peace and reconciliation in Manipur, assuring the people that the Centre is committed to rebuilding lives disrupted by violence. Speaking in Churachandpur, the Prime Minister said the Government of India is extending full support to restore normalcy and accelerate development in the state.

“The land of Manipur is a land of hope and aspiration. Unfortunately, violence had cast its shadow on this beautiful region. Today, I promise you that I am with you, the Government of India is with you, the people of Manipur,” Modi said. He announced the construction of 7,000 new houses for families displaced by ethnic conflict, in addition to nearly 60,000 houses already built under central housing schemes.

The Prime Minister underlined that peace is the foundation of progress, noting that several long-standing disputes in the Northeast had been resolved in the past decade. “We are satisfied that recently in the hills and valleys, negotiations have taken place for agreements with different groups. These are part of the efforts of the Government of India in which work is being done to establish peace while giving importance to dialogue, respect, and mutual understanding,” he said.

Emphasising development, Modi said Manipur is moving in step with the rest of the nation, which is poised to become the world’s third-largest economy. He highlighted major infrastructure and welfare gains, including tap water connections that have expanded from around 30,000 households to 3.5 lakh homes in recent years.

The Prime Minister also announced a special package of Rs 3,000 crore for Manipur, with Rs 500 crore specifically earmarked to support displaced families. “Today, the development of every tribal community is a priority for our country. For the first time, the ‘Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan’ is being implemented for the development of tribal areas,” he said.

Modi also stressed the government’s focus on women’s empowerment, pointing to the construction of working women’s hostels in Manipur. “The culture of Manipur has always promoted women’s empowerment, and our government is also committed to empowering women,” he said.

Reiterating his call for unity, Modi appealed to all organisations to “move forward on the path of peace and fulfil their dreams,” assuring that the Centre will continue to support the state government in resettling displaced people and making Manipur a “symbol of peace, prosperity, and progress.”

Promotional | North East Integration Rally