Prime Minister Narendra Modi has highlighted the Indian Government’s commitment to addressing the conflict in Manipur by deploying some of its finest administrative assets to the Northeastern State. Following violent ethnic clashes last year, PM Modi outlined the significant improvement in the situation and the necessity for a collective approach to address the challenges faced by Manipur.
The PM said, “We’ve dedicated our best resources and administrative machinery to resolving the conflict. Because of the timely intervention of the Government of India and efforts made by the Government of Manipur, there has been a marked improvement in the situation of the State.”
Recalling Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Manipur last year, Modi said, “Home Minister Amit Shah stayed in Manipur while the conflict was at its peak, holding 15-plus meetings with various stakeholders to help resolve the conflict.”
PM Modi emphasised that the BJP-led Central Government has remained steadfast in its support to Manipur’s administration since the eruption of clashes between the Kuki and Meitei tribes in 2023. He noted that efforts for relief and rehabilitation are underway and ongoing.
“Remedial measures undertaken include a financial package for the relief and rehabilitation of people living in shelter camps in the State,” stated PM Modi.
Northeast emerges as Bharat’s greatest success stories
Critiquing the historical neglect of the Northeast by the successive Congress Governments since independence, Prime Minister Modi emphasised the transformative strides witnessed under the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) rule. He asserted that the region, once marginalised, has now flourished into an abundant and thriving area under BJP leadership.
“Successive Congress governments gave step-motherly treatment to the people of the Northeast because for them the potential electoral gains in the region were too little. For them, the Northeast was too distant, and working for its development was also difficult,” remarked PM Modi.
He added, “In the last 10 years, it is visible how we have ended the Northeast’s isolation and developed it as Bharat’s gateway to the East. I have visited the Northeast nearly 70 times, which is probably more than the total number of visits made by all the Prime Ministers before me. Since 2015, Union Ministers have visited the Northeast more than 680 times,” highlighting that the North East has become India’s biggest success story.
Development in Northeast
During the interview, the Indian top leader talked about the numemrous investments made in the Northeastern region in the last 10 years.
“In the last five years, the investments we made towards the development of the region are nearly four times more than the funds allocated by the Congress government or any other previous government in the past,” infomred PM Modi.
The PM cited the inauguration of bridges like the Bogibeel Bridge, Bhupen Hazarika Setu and Sela Tunnel that enhanced connectivity and has eased people’s lives.
“Since 2014, more than Rs 14,000 crore has been spent to promote higher education in the Northeast. The country’s first Sports University has been opened in Manipur. We are building more than 200 Khelo India centres across the 8 states,” noted the PM.
