Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s long-awaited visit to the Northeast marks both a political statement and a humanitarian gesture, even if it comes rather late
It was a long-awaited trip to the Northeast that the Prime Minister undertook to assuage the feelings of people torn apart by a bloody ethnic war that killed hundreds and left many homeless, as the state of Manipur plunged into anarchy and burned for months. Coming two years after the ethnic clashes between the Meitei majority and the largely Christian Kuki community left more than 260 dead and tens of thousands displaced, the visit was not just ceremonial — it was symbolic of the Centre’s renewed commitment to restore peace and rebuild lives in a state scarred by violence.
During his visit Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined centenary celebrations of Bhupen Hazarika in Guwahati, releasing a Rs 100 commemorative coin and a biography titled Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika. Remembering the legendary singer, Modi highlighted the timeless message of humanity in his songs, urging people to embrace compassion and build bridges across divides.
But main purpose of his visit was Manipur which has seen ethnic clashes since May 2023. The clashes — rooted in historical competition for land, resources, and political recognition — pitted valley against hills, turning neighbours into adversaries. Modi’s presence in both Churachandpur, a Kuki stronghold, and Imphal, the Meitei-majority capital, was a carefully calibrated message: The Centre stands equidistant, willing to listen and determined to reconcile.
He appealed directly to the communities to take “the path of peace for realising their dreams,” invoking the image of a “bridge of brotherhood” between hills and valley. In Imphal, he reinforced this sentiment with concrete promises — 7,000 new homes for families uprooted by the violence, a lifeline for those still struggling to find stability. But Modi’s visit was not limited to reassurance; it was also about reimagining Manipur’s future. Development, often described as the antidote to unrest, formed a core part of his announcements. Projects worth nearly $1 billion were unveiled, including five new highways and a modern police headquarters, alongside infrastructure aimed at integrating the northeast more firmly into India’s economic mainstream.
While Modi’s visit to northeast and Manipur in particular is welcome but it would have been better had it come at the time when Manipur was burning. Indeed, the visit comes after a considerable delay — Modi had last visited Manipur before the eruption of violence. His silence during the initial months of bloodshed gave his opponents enough amunition to question his leadership. The resignation of former Chief Minister N Biren Singh underscored how local governance faltered under pressure. Peace in Manipur requires rebuilding trust at the grassroots, addressing grievances on both sides, and ensuring that political actors do not inflame old wounds for narrow gain. Modi’s appeal to dialogue must therefore be matched with transparent mechanisms of reconciliation.
