PM Modi’s Manipur Visit Long Overdue: Northeast Deserves Real Priority, Says BJP Ally Pradyot Kishore Debbarma

New Delhi, September 11, 2025 — Tipra Motha founder and BJP ally Pradyot Kishore Debbarma has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s planned visit to Manipur is “long overdue.” He welcomed the announcement but reminded that people will be watching closely to “see what he has to say.” He stressed that the Northeast should not be treated as an afterthought but as a serious national priority.

The Prime Minister is expected to visit Manipur on September 13, 2025, according to media reports. This will be his first trip to the conflict-hit state since May 2023, when violent ethnic clashes broke out between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.

For many in the region, this visit is not only late but also carries heavy expectations.

Pradyot: “Justice Delayed Is Justice Denied”

Pradyot, who leads the tribal-based Tipra Motha party in Tripura, reminded that people of Manipur have been waiting for the Prime Minister for more than two years. During this period, they have seen violence, displacement, and loss of livelihoods.

“Justice delayed is justice denied,” he said. He argued that while Union Home Ministry officials have been in touch with tribal leaders and have shown goodwill, the absence of the Prime Minister himself has been deeply felt.

He also made it clear that the visit cannot remain symbolic. According to him, the Prime Minister must not only speak but also act in a way that restores faith and heals wounds.

Manipur’s Long Suffering

The state of Manipur has been under the grip of conflict since May 2023. Thousands of families were displaced. Villages were destroyed. Trust between communities was broken.

Many civil society groups, student bodies, and church leaders repeatedly urged the Centre to step in more strongly. Opposition parties too criticized the government for not doing enough.

The absence of the Prime Minister in the state during this crisis became a point of debate across India. Critics argued that such a long silence and delay was unacceptable when people were suffering daily.

Why the Visit Matters Now

The Prime Minister’s arrival on September 13 is being seen as a test of political sincerity. Will it only be a grand speech and photo opportunity? Or will it mark the start of real change?

Pradyot Kishore Debbarma underlined that words will not be enough. “We want action. The visit should bring solutions, not just speeches,” he said.

The expectations include:

• A clear roadmap for rehabilitation of displaced families.
• Stronger security measures to prevent further violence.
• Confidence-building steps for both Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.
• A long-term vision for peace, jobs, and inclusion in the state.

Pradyot’s Concerns Beyond Manipur

Though Manipur is the immediate concern, Pradyot also used this moment to highlight broader issues in the Northeast.

He pointed to the Tiprasa Accord, which was signed in Tripura but remains unimplemented. The accord promised protection of tribal rights, land, and cultural identity. The delay, he says, is frustrating people and breaking their trust in the system.

“I cannot stay with BJP only for power,” Pradyot declared. “If the government does not deliver on its promises, we will not remain in alliance.”

He also raised the issue of illegal migration from across borders, which has created pressure on land and jobs for indigenous people. Young people in tribal areas, he said, are feeling insecure and hopeless.

Northeast’s Place in National Politics

For decades, the Northeast has complained of being sidelined in Delhi’s decision-making. Many in the region believe they are remembered during elections but forgotten later.

Pradyot stressed that this must change. He said the region’s challenges — from porous borders to ethnic tensions, and from underdevelopment to cultural protection — deserve top-level political attention.

He warned that if these issues are ignored, discontent will grow. “The youth are frustrated. They need to feel safe and valued in their own land,” he said.

A Region Waiting for Healing

The Northeast is known for its diversity. Dozens of communities live side by side, each with its own culture, language, and traditions. But this diversity also makes the region fragile if not managed with care.

Manipur’s violence showed how quickly tensions can turn into long-term divisions. Leaders like Pradyot say that without urgent healing, mistrust could spread further across the region.

He believes the Prime Minister’s visit is a chance to send a strong message — that the Northeast matters as much as any other part of India.

The Road Ahead

As Manipur prepares for PM Modi’s visit, the mood is mixed. Some see hope. Others remain skeptical. Civil society organizations are already planning to present their concerns to the Prime Minister.

If the visit brings clear promises with deadlines, it could mark a turning point. But if it remains only symbolic, it may leave people more disappointed than before.

Pradyot’s words echo the mood of many in the region: “We will see what he has to say. But more than that, we want to see what he will do.

Conclusion

Prime Minister Modi’s first visit to Manipur since the outbreak of violence comes two years late. For people who lost homes and family members, this delay has been painful.

Now, the people of Manipur — and the Northeast at large — are watching closely. The visit will not be judged by the size of the rally or the applause of the crowd. It will be judged by the actions that follow.

Pradyot Kishore Debbarma has thrown a clear challenge to the BJP-led government: make the Northeast a priority, not just in words, but in reality.

The next few days will decide whether this long-awaited trip becomes a turning point — or just another missed opportunity in the troubled history of the region.