Imphal, September 13 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday assured that he and the Government of India would always stand with Manipur and continue efforts to ensure the border state’s peace and prosperity.

Laying foundation stones for 19 development projects worth Rs 7,300 crore for different parts of Manipur from the Peace Ground in Churachandpur, the Prime Minister said that peace is required for undertaking development.

Noting that the violence affected Manipur, PM Modi informed that talks have been started with various ethnic groups providing due respect to all stakeholders.

“I appeal to all concerned to help the government to restore peace and to ensure the development for the betterment of all, especially the future of the new generations,” the Prime Minister said.

Before addressing the gathering at the Peace Ground, the Prime Minister interacted with the inmates of the relief camps, where thousands of men, women and children have been staying since the violence broke out in Manipur in May 2023.

The Prime Minister said that many ethnic hostilities in the Northeastern states had been stopped through negotiations and talks and added that peace and development would be further intensified in Manipur.

Saying that Manipur is a border state and its connectivity issues were once a major problem, PM Modi informed that since 2014, constant efforts were going on to develop the road, rail and air connectivity of the state and the budgetary allocations were also increased to a large extent.

He told the gathering that Rs 3,700 crore were spent for the development of National Highways and Rs 8,700 crore projects are now underway for new highways.

PM Modi said that railway connectivity was being extended in Manipur at a cost of Rs 22,000 crore and the Jiribam-Imphal railway project would be completed in the near future, linking the state capital (Imphal) with the national railway network.

More helicopter services would be started from Imphal airport linking remote areas of the state, the Prime Minister announced and informed that employment scope of the youths of the state would increase further.

Referring to the violence-hit displaced people in Manipur, the Prime Minister said that over 7,000 houses are being constructed for the affected people, a Rs 3,000 crore special package was given to the state and an additional fund of Rs 500 crore sanctioned.

Highlighting the life and culture of tribals of Churachandpur, the Prime Minister said: “I know the problems of the tribals. Tribals’ development across the country is the priority of the government. Special development initiatives have been undertaken in over 500 tribal inhabited villages of Manipur.”

He informed that 18 Eklavya Model Residential Schools are being constructed in Manipur and added that Manipur’s traditional culture is to empower women and the Central government was also always working on these lines.

Without naming any previous governments, he said that once funds were announced from Delhi but they hardly reached Imphal.

"In different Awas Yojanas, over 60,000 houses were constructed, electricity problems of thousands of families were resolved, over one lakh people got free electricity connections and piped water connections were provided to over 3.50 lakh households in Manipur," he said.

“Good hospitals and educational institutions were once a dream in Manipur, now these are a reality. Under the PM-DevINE (Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region), health services are being improved in five districts. Over Rs 350 crore has been provided for free medical treatment to hundreds of people,” the Prime Minister said.

The 19 projects for which PM Modi laid foundation stones include, Manipur Urban Roads, Drainage and Asset Management Improvement project, Manipur Infotech Development (MIND) project, with infrastructure set up at Imphal and skilling and employment generation across the state, upgradations and double-laning of National Highway 102A in Tengnoupal district, Working Women's Hostels at nine locations, strengthening of 120 high schools and higher secondary schools in all 16 districts, providing super speciality and assured speciality healthcare in remote and hill districts.

Due to heavy rain, the Prime Minister after reaching Imphal international airport from Mizoram's capital Aizawl went to Churachandpur by road instead of helicopter as the weather was not conducive for chopper travel to Manipur.

"Despite heavy rain, PM Modi decided that he would reach the rally venue by road, no matter how much time it took, just so that he could interact with the people," an official said.

Tribal inhabited district Churachandpur, which shares borders with Myanmar and Mizoram, is 61 km south of Imphal. A large number of men, women and children standing by the roadside with the Indian Tricolour greeted the Prime Minister during his 1.5 hour journey by road.

Later, PM Modi left Churachandpur for Imphal, where he would inaugurate infrastructure projects totalling Rs 1,200 crore from the historic Kangla Fort and address the mammoth gatherings.

Committed to taking Manipur forward on path of development: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for several development projects in Manipur's Churachandpur on Saturday and reaffirmed the Centre's commitment to development in the Northeastern state.

The Prime Minister commenced a two-day visit to the states of Mizoram, Manipur, and Assam on Saturday. He arrived in Churachandpur, a district predominantly inhabited by the Kuki community, to attend various events and engage with the communities affected by the ethnic violence in the state.

This visit marks Prime Minister Modi's first trip to Manipur since ethnic violence erupted in May 2023.

Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone for several development projects valued at over Rs 7,300 crore.

These projects include the Manipur Urban Roads, Drainage and Asset Management Improvement Project, which is worth over Rs 3,600 crore; five National Highway projects totalling more than Rs 2,500 crore in cost; the Manipur Infotech Development (MIND) project; and the establishment of Working Women's Hostels at nine locations, among others.

He also met students, who welcomed the Prime Minister with portraits.

Addressing the large gathering, PM Modi said, "Manipur is the land of courage and determination. These hills are a priceless gift of nature, and at the same time, they symbolise your continuous hard work. I salute the passion of the people of Manipur. You all have come here in this heavy rain, and I thank you for it."

"Due to the heavy rainfall, my helicopter was not able to fly, and hence I decided to come by road. What I saw on the roads, after that, I am truly thankful that I did not choose to come from a helicopter today. The way I saw the youth and elderly people of Manipur carrying the Tricolour in their hands, I can never forget this moment in my life, and I bow down to the people here," he added.

The Prime Minister said that his government is "committed to taking Manipur forward on the path of development."

"The traditions and culture of this region, the vibrancy and diversity here, reflect India's strength. And above everything, the name Manipur itself contains 'Mani', which symbolises a jewel that will enhance the sheen of the entire Northeast in the times to come," he said.

Highlighting the new development projects launched, PM Modi said, "These projects will improve the lives of people, especially the tribal communities living in the hills of Manipur. They will provide new facilities in health and education for you all. I congratulate the people of Manipur for this."

Stressing the importance of connectivity in the border state, he said, "Manipur is a border state, and connectivity here has always been a major challenge. I fully understand the difficulties you have faced due to the lack of good roads. That is why, since 2014, I have focussed strongly on continuously improving Manipur's connectivity."

In the past few years, the Prime Minister said, Rs 3,700 crore has been spent on National Highways in Manipur, and work on new highways worth Rs 8,700 crore is progressing rapidly.