President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday said she is aware of the pain endured by the people of Manipur due to the ethnic violence and assured them that the government is committed to strengthening harmony, ensuring security and promoting equitable development across the state.
She was addressing a civic reception hosted in her honour by the Manipur government at the City Convention Centre in Imphal, during her first visit to the strife-torn state since assuming office.
Earlier in the evening (December 11, 2025), President Murmu laid foundation stones and inaugurated various developmental projects in Imphal. She also attended a civic reception where she emphasised that Manipur is a land of resilience, courage and extraordinary cultural richness.
The President said generations of Manipuri people have enriched India through their contributions in sports, the armed forces, art and culture, and public service.
The President inaugurated 12 projects worth Rs 207 crore and laid foundation stones for 14 projects valued at Rs 1,180 crore. These initiatives span tribal development, agriculture, drinking water, electricity, education, security, tourism and sports.
She said these projects reflect the government’s commitment to building a modern and inclusive Manipur that offers opportunities for all and ensures that “the fruits of development and progress reach each and every corner of the State.”
Murmu reiterated her awareness of the suffering caused by the ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities since May 2023, which have left at least 260 people dead and thousands displaced. The state remains under President’s Rule. She assured citizens that addressing the concerns of the people of Manipur is the government’s highest priority.
“The Union Government remains fully committed to strengthening harmony, ensuring security, and supporting Manipur in its journey towards stability and prosperity,” she said.
Expressing confidence in the people’s resilience, Murmu said the talented and hardworking communities of the valley and hills will come together with renewed harmony.
She urged the people to continue supporting peace, development and inclusive growth, envisioning a Manipur “where every child feels safe, every woman feels empowered, every community feels included, and every citizen moves ahead towards a brighter future.”
Calling Manipur the gateway to India’s engagement with Southeast Asia, Murmu described its youth, culture and natural beauty as symbols of unlimited potential.
She also praised the state’s legacy of women’s empowerment, referring to the historic Nupi Lal (women’s wars) of 1904 and 1939, where Manipuri women bravely resisted colonial and feudal injustices. “They inspire every Indian,” she said.
The President highlighted Manipur’s contributions to the freedom struggle, including the historic raising of the Indian flag at Moirang by the Azad Hind Fauj in 1944. She noted the renaming of Mt Harriet in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as Mt Manipur in honour of the valour of Manipuri heroes.
Murmu also praised the state’s natural endowments, including Loktak Lake, the largest freshwater lake in the Northeast and home to the world’s only floating national park.
Earlier in the day, the President watched a polo exhibition match at the historic Mapal Kangjeibung, further highlighting Manipur’s cultural and sporting heritage.
Murmu concluded her address by urging citizens to work together in strengthening harmony and development, reaffirming that the government stands firmly with every affected family in the state.
– Ends
With PTI inputs.
Published By:
Akshat Trivedi
Published On:
Dec 11, 2025
