No Helicopter Travel Due to Rain in Manipur: PM Modi Takes Road to Reach Churachandpur

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was forced to abandon his planned helicopter journey to Churachandpur on Saturday due to heavy rainfall in Manipur. Instead, he travelled nearly 1.5 hours by road to reach the rally venue, marking his first visit to the violence-hit state since ethnic clashes broke out in May 2023.

Upon landing in Imphal, officials informed the Prime Minister that bad weather conditions made it unsafe for helicopter travel to Churachandpur, located 61 km away. Undeterred, the Prime Minister insisted on travelling by car, stating that he was committed to meeting the people, no matter how long the journey took.

PM Modi’s first stop was Peace Ground in Churachandpur, a region predominantly inhabited by the Kuki-Zo community. Later in the day, he is expected to visit Kangla Fort, a culturally and politically significant site in Imphal, the stronghold of the Meitei community.

During his address to a large gathering in Churachandpur, PM Modi expressed deep appreciation for the people's support despite the rain.

“I salute the spirit of the people of Manipur. Even in such heavy rain, you came here in such large numbers. My helicopter could not come due to heavy rain, so I decided to come by road,” the Prime Minister said.

“The love and affection that everyone gave me while holding the tricolor in their hands throughout the way—I can never forget this moment in my life.”

The visit holds symbolic and political importance, as Manipur continues to recover from ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities that erupted in May 2023. The violence claimed more than 250 lives and displaced around 60,000 people, many of whom remain in government-run relief camps.

PM Modi acknowledged the hardship faced by the people and assured that the central government is committed to restoring normalcy in the region.

“In order to bring life back on track in Manipur, the Government of India is making all possible efforts,” he said.

“I promise you today that I’m with you. The Government of India is with the people of Manipur.”

The Prime Minister also made a call for peace, urging all groups to abandon conflict and take the path of dialogue to fulfil their aspirations.