Is a New Dawn of Hope and Faith Approaching Manipur?

New Delhi, Sep 13 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a dynamic three-day journey across five states on Saturday, sparking aspirations for improved connectivity, abundance, and harmony in the Northeastern region of India.

The Prime Minister’s itinerary encompassed Mizoram, Manipur, Assam, West Bengal, and Bihar sequentially.

In Manipur, where violent confrontations resulted in the implementation of President’s Rule in February 2025, he interacted with those affected, who were compelled to reside in temporary shelters.

He also launched several development initiatives in Churachandpur and the state capital, Imphal.

Expressing optimism about the impending arrival of a new era of hope and trust, he remarked, “The land of Manipur is a soil of hope and aspiration.”

Since May 2023, Manipur has experienced its bloodiest internal strife in decades, with the dominant Meitei community of the valley clashing with the hill-based Kuki-Zo tribes.

The Meitei’s quest for Scheduled Tribe status, aimed at securing job and educational quotas, has incited anxieties among the Kukis regarding potential reductions in their resource share.

Conflicts surrounding land rights, political representation, and alleged illegal migration from Myanmar among the hill tribes have further deteriorated inter-communal relations.

The clashes have resulted in hundreds of fatalities and displaced tens of thousands, many of whom have seen their homes destroyed or vandalized.

Key access routes to the state and several major roads were obstructed by armed groups from both factions within their respective areas of dominance.

The armed forces were also not spared, conducting flag marches in the violence-affected regions while attempting to maintain order with patience and restraint.

Although the flames of conflict have been subdued, remnants of tension persist in certain areas. The Prime Minister’s announcement of various projects and his reassuring statements are perceived as efforts to extinguish these lingering embers.

“Achieving peace is vital for development in any area, and over the past eleven years, numerous long-standing conflicts in the North East have been resolved,” stated the Prime Minister, emphasizing that people have embraced peace and prioritized development.

Ethnic disputes have plagued the region, with successive administrations opting for temporary ceasefires instead of enduring resolutions.

In districts neighboring Manipur and throughout Nagaland, Naga groups are advocating for recognition of a disputed ancestral territory, referencing both Article 3 (Formation of new States and alteration of areas, boundaries or names of existing States) and a degree of autonomy under Article 239A (Creation of local Legislatures or Council of Ministers or both for certain Union territories).

The Naga struggle dates back to pre-Independence insurgencies, culminating in multiple ceasefire and peace accord discussions with New Delhi since the 1990s.

The long-awaited Naga peace accord—a framework between Naga groups and the government to resolve the issue—remains elusive. Their aspiration for a “Greater Nagalim” is seen as neither feasible nor suitable, as it would require incorporating surrounding areas outside Nagaland.

The additional demand for a separate flag or constitution is also deemed unacceptable, though the government remains open to increased autonomy for regions inhabited by Nagas.

Naga organizations are further advocating for the removal of border fencing and the reinstatement of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the Indo-Myanmar border. They assert that “arbitrary” demarcation would sever ancestral connections and contravene the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The FMR is an agreement between India and Myanmar allowing border residents to traverse up to 16 km inside the border without a visa.

Numerous complex issues require resolution, many of which have escalated over the years. While efforts and initiatives have been made, few significant challenges have been addressed.

The Prime Minister's visit symbolizes a renewed commitment, anticipated to yield actions that speak louder than words.

As he stated, “A new dawn of hope and faith is knocking in Manipur.”