Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Manipur, reaching out to both Churachandpur and Imphal and interacting face-to-face with IDPs, has indicated that his government only wants a united, developed Manipur without any kind of violence.
In his public address at Kangla, the PM stated, “This violence is a great injustice to our ancestors and our future generations. Therefore, we have to take Manipur forward on the path of peace and development, and we have to do it together. We have to take inspiration from Manipur’s contribution in the freedom struggle of India and in the defence of India.”
The PM also highlighted the significance of Manipuri culture and sports. He mentioned that Indian culture is incomplete without Manipuri culture. And without the players of Manipur, the sports of India are also incomplete. “The youth of Manipur is a youth who gives his whole heart and soul for the pride of the tricolor,” the PM remarked.
Meanwhile, the Governor of Manipur, A.K. Bhalla, on his visit to Churachandpur, reportedly urged the people not to allow illegal settlements of “people beyond the borders,” adding that the government cannot allow the land to be encroached upon by outsiders, and both the state and Centre are committed to taking effective steps to address this challenge.
Soon after the PM left Churachandpur district, Saikot AC MLA Paolienlal Haokip took to X and asked if the PM’s visit to Churachandpur was a “wastage of public resources for optics.” The MLA posted, “The people hoped the Hon’ble PM is coming to hear us. But not even 10 minutes to listen to our woes, not even from party MLAs. Wastage of public resources for optics? I’ll meet and greet him when he has time to listen to the woes and aspirations of my people.”
It has also been reported that MLAs, including KPA and Independents from Churachandpur, submitted a joint memorandum demanding a settlement and the creation of a separate administration in the form of a Union Territory with a legislature.
