PM Modi Makes First Visit to Manipur Since Crisis, Calls for "Bridge of Trust"
In his first visit to Manipur since ethnic violence erupted in May 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for building a "strong bridge of trust" between the Hill and Valley communities. Addressing public meetings in Imphal and Churachandpur, he emphasized peace through dialogue and announced a special package of ₹3,000 crore, including funds for 7,000 new houses for displaced families. The visit marks a significant central government intervention aimed at reconciliation and restoring normalcy in the conflict-ridden state.
Unpacked:
Violence began after a Manipur High Court order seemingly recommended Scheduled Tribe status for the Meitei community, sparking protests from tribal groups like the Kuki-Zo. The change would have allowed Meiteis to access land and job quotas reserved for tribes, intensifying long-standing ethnic tensions and leading to violent clashes.
The main groups are the Meitei (majority, mostly Hindu, living in the valley) and the Kuki-Zo (tribal, mostly Christian, residing in the hills). Meiteis seek greater affirmative action benefits, while Kuki-Zo oppose this, fearing loss of land and resources. Each side accuses the other of discrimination and illegal activities.
As of November 2024, at least 258 people were killed and 60,000 displaced. Thousands of houses and hundreds of religious structures were destroyed, with widespread reports of sexual violence, extrajudicial killings, and attacks on civilians. The violence led to large-scale segregation of communities.
The central government partitioned the state to reduce clashes and attempted to establish peace dialogues. However, these efforts have largely failed, partly due to perceived bias and lack of trust among communities. The recent intervention, including financial aid and housing, aims to rebuild trust but its effectiveness remains to be seen.