In her maiden visit to Manipur as President of India, Droupadi Murmu on Thursday sent a strong message of solidarity and hope to a state still reeling from 30 months of ethnic strife, declaring that restoring normalcy and addressing the grievances of every affected family is the Union government’s “highest priority”.
“I am deeply aware of the immense pain the people of Manipur have endured because of the unfortunate violence over the past several months,” President Murmu said while addressing a civic reception at the City Convention Centre in Imphal. “I want to assure every citizen here that your concerns are our foremost concern. The Government of India stands shoulder-to-shoulder with every family that has suffered.”
During the two-day visit, the President virtually inaugurated 12 completed projects worth ₹207 crore and laid the foundation stones for 14 new initiatives costing ₹1,180 crore, taking the total value of development works to ₹1,387 crore. The projects cover critical sectors including healthcare, power transmission, sports infrastructure, agriculture, and rural connectivity.
Reaffirming the Centre’s long-term commitment, she said, “The Government of India is fully determined to restore harmony, ensure lasting security, and accelerate equitable growth across every corner of Manipur so the state can once again march towards stability and prosperity.”
The visit assumes political significance as it comes barely three months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to the state — only the second high-profile central visit since violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities erupted in May 2023.
President Murmu lavished praise on Manipur’s rich legacy, calling it “a land of unparalleled resilience, courage, and vibrant culture”. She highlighted the state’s outstanding contribution to Indian sports, arts, and public life, and paid special tribute to the historic 1904 and 1939 Nupi Lan (women’s war) movements. “The fearless women of Manipur who stood up against colonial oppression continue to inspire every Indian even today,” she said.
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, in his welcome address, described the presidential visit as a reflection of the “unbreakable bond” between the state and the highest constitutional office. Acknowledging the “unprecedented challenges” of the past year and a half, he commended citizens for displaying “extraordinary patience, unity, and resilience” in the face of adversity.
Governor Bhalla assured that both the state and central governments are working tirelessly on “healing wounds, fostering reconciliation, rebuilding trust, and creating an environment where every citizen can live with dignity, security, and renewed hope”.
Earlier in the day, President Murmu was accorded a warm reception upon landing at Imphal International Airport around 1 p.m. She proceeded to the historic Mapal Kangjeibung ground to witness a traditional polo match organised by the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports — in a nod to Manipur’s claim as the birthplace of modern polo.
In the evening, the President also interacted with internally displaced persons living in relief camps.
Today, she will visit Senapati district in the hills before departing for Delhi.In an emotional appeal to the people of Manipur, President Murmu urged both hill and valley communities to “come together once again with fresh harmony and collective resolve so that Manipur can scale new heights of peace, happiness, and prosperity”.
For a state still nursing deep wounds, the President’s words and the bouquet of development projects offered a glimmer of reassurance that New Delhi has neither forgotten nor abandoned Manipur in its hour of crisis.
Signpost News is an Imphal-based media house that focuses on delivering news and views from Northeast India and beyond.