PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said a strong bridge of “trust” must be built between the people of the Hills and the Valley in Manipur. Addressing a public meeting in Imphal’s Kangla Fort during his first visit to the State after ethnic violence broke out between Kukis and Meiteis in May 2023, Modi said his Government was committed to “healing wounds, restoring confidence, and ensuring no family is left behind”.

 

“Manipur is the ‘ratna’ adorning the crown of ‘mother India’. Any form of violence here is condemnable. It is not only unfortunate but also a grave injustice to our ancestors and our future generations. Together, we must take Manipur forward on the path of peace and development,” he said. While the people of the Meitei community live in the Imphal Valley, the Kukis reside in the adjoining Hills.

 

The PM stressed that peace in the state was non-negotiable and could only be achieved through dialogue and unity. “Manipur has immense potential, but violence weakens our social fabric. Only peace and harmony can restore the State’s rightful place as India’s eastern crown jewel,” he said.Modi said the Centre had approved the construction of 7,000 new houses for those affected by the conflict, alongsidea special package of about Rs 3,000 crore. “Restoring normalcy in the lives of those who endured the heat of violenceis our top priority,

 

” he said. From the function, the PM inaugurated 17 development projects worth Rs 1,200 crore. Modi saidManipur’s growth trajectory was transformed under his Government. “Before 2014, Manipur’s growth rate was less than 1 per cent.Today, thestateisadvancing much faster. The 21st century belongs to the East, to the Northeast, and that is why the Centre has continuously prioritised Manipur’s development,” he said. Modi recalled that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose had describedManipur as thegateway to India’s Independence.

 

“This soil witnessed the INA unfurling the tricolour for the first time, and has given many martyrs to the nation. Our Governmentismoving forward inspired by their sacrifice,” he said.

 

The Prime Minister said women’s empowerment was one of the State’s strongest traditions, citing the famous allwomen market Ima Keithel as a “shining example”. PM INTERACTS WITH VIOLENCE-HITDISPLACEDPEOPLE:PRIMEMinisterNarendra Modi on Saturday interacted with a section of the people belonging to the two warring communities,Kuki andMeitei, who were displaced due to the ethnic violence in Manipur, officials said. Modi listened to the concerns of the familiesofinternallydisplaced persons (IDPs) and assured them of the Centre’s commitment torestorepeace andnormalcy in the State, they said.