Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to visit Manipur, a state that has been reeling under turmoil for over a year.

Speaking during his visit to Junagadh in Gujarat, Gandhi said, “The issue in Manipur has been ongoing for a long time. It is good that he is going there now.” His remarks come just ahead of the Prime Minister’s planned trip to the north-eastern state.

According to officials, Modi is scheduled to visit Manipur on September 13 and unveil a series of development projects worth ₹8,500 crore. The projects include laying foundation stones worth ₹7,300 crore in Churachandpur and inaugurating infrastructure works worth ₹1,200 crore in Imphal.

This will be Modi’s first visit to the violence-hit state since ethnic clashes broke out between the Kuki and Meitei communities in May 2023, leaving over 260 people dead and displacing more than 60,000.