Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to travel to Manipur in the second week of September, in what would be his first visit to the state since ethnic clashes erupted more than two years ago. The programme is being aligned with his confirmed trip to Mizoram on September 13, where he will inaugurate a new railway line. While the Mizoram leg is finalised, discussions are underway to add Manipur to the itinerary, most likely on September 12 or 13. Preparations in Imphal have already begun, with the administration asked to ensure a secure environment for the high-profile visit.
The timing of this visit is significant said highly places sources. Since May 2023, when violence broke out between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, Manipur has witnessed over 250 deaths and more than 60,000 people pushed into relief camps. The prolonged crisis drew national attention, and the absence of a visit by the Prime Minister was often pointed out by Opposition leaders and civil society voices in the state. His arrival, even for a few hours, is being seen as an effort to directly engage with the situation on the ground. Officials indicated that the Prime Minister may tour both Meitei- and Kuki-majority areas and meet senior officers to review the security and rehabilitation measures underway.
Although large-scale violence has subsided in recent months, the state continues to grapple with the aftershocks of conflict. Markets have reopened and schools are functioning again, yet mistrust between communities remains high. Recent incidents, such as the abduction and killing of a Thadou tribal leader allegedly by Kuki militants, underline the fragile nature of the peace process. For many, the Prime Minister’s presence could help reinforce ongoing peace-building initiatives and send a message of confidence that the Centre remains invested in restoring normalcy.
Politically, Manipur remains under President’s Rule, imposed in February and extended in August, with the state assembly intact but governance resting largely with the Centre. Former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, who stepped down days before the imposition of President’s Rule, has continued to press for restoration of elected government. Singh and BJP Rajya Sabha member Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba have been in regular touch with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. BJP leaders, including Northeast in-charge Sambit Patra, have also engaged with Kuki MLAs and tribal organisations such as the Committee on Tribal Unity. These steps show the BJP’s intent to navigate the conflict carefully, ensuring no community feels excluded.
According to media reports if the Prime Minister’s is confirmed it will likely be short, around four hours, but it comes with larger implications. It would reinforce the sense that stability is gradually returning, with curfews eased, families leaving relief camps, and efforts to restart dialogue between communities. Media reports quoting a Manipur senior official stated that, “the situation is calm and under control. People are trying to move on,” which reflected a cautious optimism that the worst may be over.
Modi’s trip to Mizoram is already locked in, with the launch of a new railway line that promises to improve the state’s connectivity to the rest of India. Taken together, the back-to-back programmes in Mizoram and Manipur highlight the government’s focus on the Northeast at a time when the region remains crucial for both national security and developmental priorities.
The possible visit to Manipur thus carries more than protocol—it is an opportunity for the Prime Minister to engage directly with a state that has endured long unrest, to reassure its people, and to underline New Delhi’s commitment to peace and reconstruction. For a region often caught between conflict and neglect, such gestures can help open the door to longer-term healing and development.
