Churachandpur, ground zero of ethnic violence since May 2023, has been allotted just ₹23 crore spread across two modest healthcare projects. Kangpokpi, the second most populous Kuki-Zo district, has been left out entirely.
BY Navin Upadhyay
September 12 – The Kuki-Zo community is reeling under what it calls a “great betrayal” after learning that the bulk of the ₹8,547 crore worth of projects to be unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit are concentrated in the Imphal Valley, with little done to bridge the development gap.
According to a Manipur government press release, the Prime Minister will lay foundation stones for projects worth ₹7,300 crore and inaugurate works worth ₹1,200 crore. Officials hailed the package as proof of Modi’s “continued commitment and dedication to the development and welfare of the State.”
But for the Kuki-Zo, the arithmetic tells a different story. Two mega projects—urban roads and drainage improvement (₹3,647 crore) and the Manipur Infotech Development Project (₹550 crore)—both located in Imphal, swallow nearly half the entire package. By contrast, Churachandpur, ground zero of ethnic violence since May 2023, has been allotted just ₹23 crore spread across two modest healthcare projects. Kangpokpi, the second most populous Kuki-Zo district, has been left out entirely.
“Our people have endured displacement, violence, and economic ruin for over two years, yet we are left with scraps. This is a great betrayal,” said a Kuki-Zo civil society leader.
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“Development without dignity cannot heal our wounds, nor can token gestures substitute justice,” added Dr. Chinkholal Thangsing, physician and President of ZoRO Northern Zone, also Vice President of Kuki People’s Alliance.
Valley vs. Hills: The Breakdown
Imphal Valley districts (Imphal East/West, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching): ₹5,147 crore → nearly 60% of total
Tribal hill districts (Ukhrul, Tengnoupal, Chandel, Churachandpur, Kamjong, Noney, Moirang): ₹3,400 crore → just 40%, mostly road projects
Major Valley Allocations:
Urban Roads & Drainage, Imphal → ₹3,647 cr
Infotech Development Project → ₹550 cr
Civil Secretariat, Mantripukhri → ₹538 cr
IT-SEZ, Imphal → ₹114 cr
New Police HQ, Imphal → ₹101 cr
Major Hill Allocations:
Ukhrul → ₹2,564 cr (NH-202 upgrades)
Tengnoupal → ₹1,304 cr (NH-102A upgrades)
Churachandpur → ₹23 cr (2 health projects)
Kangpokpi → ₹0
👉 Out of ₹8,547 crore, nearly three-fifths has gone to the Valley.
Alienation Deepens
For tribal communities, the imbalance is more than numbers—it strikes at the heart of their demand for equitable development. Many had hoped Modi’s first visit since the conflict would bridge the gulf between the Valley and the Hills, and perhaps open space for dialogue on their demand for a separate Union Territory. Instead, the allocations appear to have widened the divide.
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“The Prime Minister’s package was our chance to feel included in the Union, to believe our cries were heard. But this will only deepen the divide,” said a student leader in Churachandpur.
PM Modi to Meet Displaced Families in Manipur, Launch ₹8,500 Cr Projects https://t.co/EXYZYXympI #ManipurVisit2025#PMModiInManipur #IDPsVoices #JusticeAndHealing
— POWER CORRIDORS (@power_corridors) September 12, 2025
Kangpokpi Left Out Entirely
The exclusion of Kangpokpi, a major Kuki-Zo stronghold, has fueled resentment. “It is like applying salt to our wound,” a CSO activist remarked.
The omission has already sparked outrage on social media, where tribal voices accused the government of “selective development” and “punitive neglect.”
Symbolism vs. Substance
For many, the allocations reflect a government more focused on symbolism than substance.
“We are told to welcome the Prime Minister with dances and floral arches while our districts are left with crumbs. It shows who the government values,” said another activist.
Meanwhile, state officials have urged residents to welcome the Prime Minister “with unity and optimism,” framing the visit as a symbol of reconciliation. But on the eve of Modi’s first trip since ethnic clashes that claimed over 260 lives and displaced 60,000 people, the sense of exclusion in the hills threatens to overshadow the pomp of Valley celebrations.
