Why Churachandpur, Imphal's Kangla Fort have taken center stage
What's the story
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Manipur, with a special focus on Churachandpur and Imphal's Kangla Fort. This is his first major visit to the state since ethnic violence broke out in May 2023. The clashes have left over 250 dead and displaced more than 60,000 people across Manipur, leaving thousands of homes, churches, and temples destroyed.
Conflict ground 0
Churachandpur was epicenter of ethnic violence
Churachandpur, a hill town with a majority Kuki-Zo population, was the epicenter of the ethnic violence. The start of the unrest correlated with a High Court order that allowed Meiteis to be included in the Scheduled Tribes list. Fearing loss of land and resources, Kuki-Zo leaders opposed this move. Over 6,000 Meiteis fled Churachandpur amid escalating violence as Kukis asserted their identity by renaming the town "Lamka" in graffiti across offices and shops.
Development focus
PM to lay foundation for development projects in Churachandpur
During his visit, PM Modi will lay the foundation stone for development projects worth over ₹7,300 crore in Churachandpur. These projects will focus on infrastructure, health, and education initiatives. The Kuki-Zo Council has welcomed this visit as a historic occasion since no Prime Minister has visited the region in nearly four decades.
Cultural significance
Modi to inaugurate projects in Imphal
Imphal's Kangla Fort is Manipur's cultural and political heart. PM Modi will also inaugurate projects worth over ₹1,200 crore in Imphal. These include the Civil Secretariat at Mantripukhri, a new IT SEZ, police headquarters, Manipur Bhawans in Delhi and Kolkata, and Ima Markets, which will be unique all-women marketplaces across four districts. The Prime Minister's visit to Manipur is part of a larger trip, also including the northeastern states of Assam and Mizoram.