Imphal, Sept 3: With Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to visit Manipur on September 13 for the first time since ethnic violence erupted in May 2023, the Congress has criticised the move, calling it “too little, too late.”
The party accused the Prime Minister of neglecting the crisis-hit state for over two years. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh pointed out that Modi traveled extensively during this period, including visits to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, but did not visit Manipur even as the state faced intense ethnic strife. Writing on X, Ramesh remarked, “It appears that the prime minister may finally summon up the courage and empathy to visit Manipur briefly on September 13. But that may be a case of TLTL — too little too late.”
The ethnic clashes, which began on May 3, 2023, arose after the Kuki-Zo tribes opposed a high court order recommending Scheduled Tribe status for the Meiteis. The unrest resulted in at least 260 deaths and left thousands displaced, many taking shelter in relief camps.
Ramesh criticised both the state and Union governments, alleging that the “double-engine sarkar” in Manipur collapsed under its own failures, causing widespread loss of life and destruction of social harmony. He highlighted the Supreme Court’s observation on August 1, 2023, describing an “absolute breakdown of constitutional machinery” in the state, and alleged that the Prime Minister failed to intervene during the crisis.
The Congress leader also accused the BJP of enabling Chief Minister N. Biren Singh to “play his games” until President’s Rule was imposed in February 2025. He added that even after 29 months under President’s Rule, conditions on the ground have not improved, noting that the Prime Minister did not meet any political delegation or civil society group from Manipur and did not condole the death of renowned theatre personality Ratan Thiyam in July 2025.
Preparations for the proposed visit are underway. Officials indicated that Modi will first visit Mizoram to inaugurate the new Bairabi-Sairang railway station before flying to Manipur. Planned events in the state include functions at Kangla in Imphal and Peace Ground in Churachandpur, with security arrangements being finalised, although the final itinerary remains unconfirmed.
