'Govt is with every affected family': President Murmu in conflict-torn Manipur

Guwahati: In her first visit to Manipur since the Meitei-Kuki conflict erupted in May 2023, President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday said the government stands with every affected families.

"I am aware of the pain that the people of Manipur have gone through following the unfortunate violence. I want to assure you that taking care of the concerns of the people of Manipur is highest priority for us. My government stands with every affected family" the President said while addressing a civic reception function at Imphal on Thursday.

The President landed in Imphal amid a boycott call by a forum of Valley-based insurgent groups and appeal by leaders of both the Meitei and the Kuki communities for restoration of peace.

"The Union Government remains fully committed to strengthening harmony, ensuring security, and supporting Manipur in its journey towards stability and prosperity. The Government is also committed to promote equitable development across the state and will ensure that the fruits of development and progress reach each and every corner of the state," Murmu said.

The President witnessed an exhibition polo match at the historic Mapal Kangjeibung before inaugurating several infrastructure, sports and cultural development projects during the civic reception function at the City Convention Centre in Imphal.

The President expressed confidence that the people from the valley and the hills will remain together with renewed harmony and take the state to great hights of prosperity and happiness.

The President urged the people of Manipur to continue supporting measures for harmony and development. She said that we should together strengthen Manipur as a state where every child feels safe, every woman feels empowered, every community feels included, and every citizen moves ahead towards a brighter future.

President's Rule:

Manipur has remained under the President's Rule since February this year.

More than 260 people belonging to both Meitei and Kuki communities have died and over 60,000 others have been displaced due to the conflict.

Meiteis demand that a National Register of Citizens be implemented in Manipur to detect "illegal Chin-Kuki migrants" from neighbouring Myanmar while the Kukis demand a "separate administration" for restoration of peace. Meitei MLAs have also been demanding restoration of the government in the state citing improvement in law and order in the past few months.

The President later met a group of displaced persons taking shelter in Imphal. Murmu visited Manipur at a time the displaced persons taking shelter in the Valley have been agitating for steps to ensure their return to their original homes in the Kuki-dominated areas.

On Friday, Murmu is scheduled to visit the Nupee Lal Memorial complex at Imphal and pay her respects to the brave women warriors of Manipur. Later, Murmu is scheduled to visit Senapati, a Naga-dominated district, and address a public function and lay foundation stones and inaugurate projects for the district. Kuki groups urged the President to visit their areas to take stock of their plight too.