PM Modi to visit violence-hit Manipur, Mizoram on September 13

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Manipur on 13 September nearly two years after ethnic violence broke out on May 3, 2023, The Mint reported citing PTI.

PM Modi may well first visit Mizoram to open the new Bairabi-Sairang railway, before heading to Manipur.

Though officials in Imphal could not confirm the visit, multiple officials of the Mizoram government said they had not received the final itinerary for the PM's visit.

Mizoram Chief Secretary Khilli Ram Meena held a meeting of several departments including the law enforcement to review and manage security measures, traffic management, reception and street decoration ahead of the PM Modi’s visit.

The meeting discussed ensuring the participation of government employees, farmers, and students from schools and colleges in the inaugural function in Lammaul in Aizawl.

The 51.38-km-long new Bairabi-Sairang railway aims at increasing connectivity the Northeast region as part of the Centre's Act East Policy.

The ethnic conflict between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities led to over 250 deaths in the past two years.

It is reported that more than 60,000 people fled their homes in the thick of the violence.

Following political pressure, the state’s Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned leading to President’s Rule on 13 February which was again extended by six months until January next year.

PM Modi faced severe criticism from the Opposition for not visiting the state even as the ethnic violence boiled over.