The US travel advisory came despite the Prime Minister Narendra Modi who had stated that “situation is normal in large parts of Manipur” and that it showed the “possibility of restoration of peace and trust”. Modi made the statement on July 3 in his speech on the motion of thanks on the President’s address.
TFM Desk
Despite Chief Minister N Biren Singh’s reported assertion that normalcy has been restored in Manipur, the United States has placed the state in the Level 4 – Do Not Travel category in its revised travel advisory. The advisory, released by the State Department, stated, “Do not travel to Manipur due to the threat of violence and crime. Ongoing ethnic-based civil conflict has resulted in reports of extensive violence and community displacement.” It also added, “Attacks against Indian government targets occur on a regular basis.”
The updated travel advisory has placed India overall at Level 2, urging its citizens to exercise increased caution while traveling in the country. However, it has kept the North Eastern states at Level 3, advising reconsideration of travel plans. Although there have been no recent reports of violence in Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim, or Tripura, the advisory noted, “Ethnic insurgent groups occasionally commit acts of violence in parts of the northeast. These incidents include bombings of buses, trains, rail lines, and markets.”
Additionally, it mentioned, “U.S. government employees traveling in India require prior approval before visiting the states of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, as well as when visiting any areas outside of the capital cities of Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Tripura.”
Manipur has been experiencing unrest since May 3 last year, leaving over 200 dead and 60,000 people internally displaced. Clashes erupted in Churachandpur on May 3, 2023 after a rally organized by the All Tribal Students Union, Manipur (ATSUM) to protest against the demand for the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe category.
The travel advisory from the US State Department is likely to reduce the number of tourists visiting the region, particularly from the United States and other countries. This could harm Manipur’s reputation, making it harder to attract tourists and lowering revenue for local businesses, including hotels, restaurants, tour operators, and shops that depend on tourism for income.
Replying to the debate on the motion of thanks on the President’s address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had told the Rajya Sabha that Manipur is returning to normalcy. “The situation is normal in large parts of Manipur; schools and colleges are open and offices and business establishments have been functioning. Just like in other parts, the state held exams, which is a sign that students can have a better future. Violence has steadily declined, which shows the possibility of restoration of peace and trust,” said the Prime Minister in the Upper House on July 3.
Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh also asserted that normalcy has been restored in Manipur in the last 4-5 months. In an interview with the Economic Times ahead of the Lok Sabha election, the CM said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi had in his Independence Day speech emphasized the need to restore peace in Manipur, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah has been monitoring the law and order 24×7 since. That is why normalcy has been restored. People are in election mode and we have started campaigning. People support BJP.”