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Imphal: What was meant to be a swift helicopter ride across Manipur’s hills to the valley turned into a dramatic and symbolic road expedition as torrential rains grounded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s aerial plans on Saturday.Initially, Modi was supposed to take the chopper from Aizawl to Churachandpur and then to Imphal from where he would have boarded his plane to Guwahati.But instead of postponing or re-routing, Modi chose to defy the inclement weather, travelling 65 km by road through the heart of last year’s ethnic violence to reach Churachandpur, and later returning the same way to Imphal.The route — dotted with hotspots of unrest and displacement — became a corridor of reconciliation, as locals lined the rain-soaked roads waving the tricolor and cheering the Prime Minister’s arrival. The journey, cutting through areas still under heavy security alert, was not just logistical — it was deeply symbolic.Modi’s road journey wasn’t just about reaching a venue, but was about reaching the people. His first act upon arrival was to meet displaced families in relief camps, listen to their concerns, and assure them of the Centre’s long-term support.Upon reaching Churachandpur, Modi told the gathering, Due to heavy rains, my helicopter could not fly, so I decided to travel by road. And today, seeing the scenes along the road, my heart says that it was a blessing from God that my helicopter did not fly today.”“And I came by road, and the love and affection that everyone, from children to the elderly, showed me all along the way, carrying the tricolor in their hands. I can never forget this moment in my life. I bow my head and salute the people of Manipur,” Modi said.His decision to travel by road is being seen as a powerful gesture of empathy and resolve, especially in a state where over 60,000 people remain displaced due to ethnic violence.Despite recent government efforts to restore normalcy in Manipur, the ground reality remains stark: no one from the Imphal Valley travels to the Kuki hills, and vice versa. The ethnic conflict that erupted in May 2023 has effectively partitioned the state, with arterial roads like NH-2, once a vital lifeline now functioning as a symbolic and literal divideFormer chief minister N Biren Singh praised Modi’s visit to Imphal and Churachandpur, calling it a heartfelt gesture of solidarity. “Despite heavy rains, Modiji came to Manipur and he travelled by road to Churachandpur is unprecedented. This shows his deep affection for the state and its people,” he said adding Modi’s presence offers reassurance to internally displaced persons and could mark a turning point for peace and development.Security sources confirmed that alternative travel arrangements had been kept ready in anticipation of unpredictable monsoon conditions. The PM’s regular convoy of security and emergency vehicles were flown in from New Delhi and kept ready. With real-time coordination between central forces, state police, and disaster response teams, the route was cleared and monitored continuously, with drone surveillance and ground patrols ensuring safety.Modi kicked off his multi-state Northeast tour in Mizoram in the morning, but the rain disrupted his plans to physically address the public in Aizawl. Unable to travel from Lengpui Airport to Lammual Ground due to heavy rain, Modi delivered his speech virtually from the airport, expressing regret and affection.In Mizoram he unveiled projects worth Rs 9000 crore, which included opening of a railway line that put the state capital Aizawl in the country’s rail map for the first time besides flagging three trains, including the Rajdhani Express.
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