PM Modi’s Manipur Visit: Key Challenges in the Conflict-Hit State

PM Modi Manipur Visit Latest News

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Manipur on September 13, his first trip since ethnic clashes between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo erupted in May 2023. 
• Over 27 months, the state has endured violence, mass displacement, weakened law and order, the rise of armed groups, President’s Rule, and national elections. 
• While tensions have eased somewhat, five key issues — displacement, security, governance, inter-community trust, and political resolution — remain central to Manipur’s fragile recovery.

Rehabilitation of Manipur’s Displaced Population

• Over 57,000 people remain in 280 relief camps across Manipur, displaced for over two years due to ethnic clashes. 
• Displacement occurred mainly in two ways: 
  • Kuki-Zo people forced out of Imphal and valley towns, and Meiteis from border and hill towns like Moreh, Kangpokpi, and Churachandpur; and 
  • those from “fringe areas” at the valley-hill frontiers fleeing attacks or threats. 
• In July, Manipur govt announced a three-phase resettlement plan to close all relief camps by year-end, beginning with phased return of fringe-area residents, followed by prefabricated housing for others once normalcy is restored. 
• While around 5,000 people had returned before the plan, progress has since been slow.

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Restricted Movement and Buffer Zones in Manipur

• During the conflict, sharp boundaries between the valley and hill districts have turned into “buffer zones” manned by security forces, blocking safe passage between Meitei and Kuki-Zo areas. 
• Meiteis remain confined to the valley without highway access, while Kuki-Zos cannot reach Imphal or use key facilities like the airport. 
• After President’s Rule in February, the Centre attempted to enforce “free movement” on highways, but violence erupted, leaving one dead and many injured. 
• Currently, Kuki-Zo groups permit only essential goods to reach the valley but refuse Meitei movement across buffer zones. 
• Meanwhile, no reciprocal arrangement exists for Kuki-Zo passage in Meitei-dominated areas.

Lack of Dialogue and Ethnic Tensions in Manipur

• Over 250 people have died in Manipur’s ethnic violence, the last major outbreak in November 2024. 
• While large-scale clashes have ebbed, officials warn the state remains fragile, as both Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities are heavily armed and lack inter-community dialogue. 
• The Centre continues separate talks with both sides, recently renewing a Suspension of Operations pact with Kuki-Zo insurgent groups. 
• These groups agreed to uphold Manipur’s “territorial integrity,” but still demand a Union Territory with legislature, contradicting the pact’s spirit. 
• Meitei groups see the agreement as legitimising insurgents, while Kuki-Zos allege past bias by ex-Chief Minister Biren Singh’s government favouring Meitei militias, fuelling mistrust.

Political Transition and President’s Rule in Manipur

• Former Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned in February after opposition from both Kuki-Zo and many Meitei BJP MLAs. 
• Soon after, President’s Rule was imposed, fulfilling a key Kuki-Zo demand and initially welcomed across communities. 
• However, nearly two months later, valley-based and Naga MLAs began pressing for restoration of an elected government, citing public pressure. 
• Despite this, the Centre has shown no urgency to lift President’s Rule, preferring stability over political transition in the conflict-hit state.

Border Tensions and Fencing with Myanmar

• Manipur’s porous border with Myanmar remains a flashpoint, with Meiteis blaming illegal Chin immigration for fueling unrest. 
• In response, the Centre scrapped the Free Movement Regime — which allowed cross-border tribal travel up to 16 km — and announced fencing. 
• This decision has angered both Kuki-Zo and Naga communities, who share deep ethnic, social, and economic ties across the border. 
• Ahead of PM Modi’s visit, the United Naga Council protested by imposing a “trade embargo” on major supply routes but has since suspended it temporarily.

Source: IE | MC