Songpi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to visit Manipur in the first week of October 2026, during which he will lay the foundation stone for the proposed medical college at Senapati and review a series of developmental and security related projects across the state. The update was shared by the Chief Minister’s Secretariat on Tuesday evening after Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh met the Union Home Minister in New Delhi and apprised him of the current situation in the state.
According to the official statement, Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh called on Amit Shah at his residence in New Delhi on Wednesday and held an extensive discussion on matters concerning Manipur. The meeting focused on early completion of centrally sponsored projects, strengthening of health and education infrastructure, restoration of normalcy and ensuring free movement on national highways. The Chief Minister also briefed the Home Minister about steps taken by the new state government since it assumed office.
The Secretariat said that Amit Shah gave a patient hearing to all issues raised by Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh and assured that the central government will fulfil the wishes and aspirations of the people of Manipur. The Home Minister said the Centre remains fully committed to peace, prosperity and all round development of the state and will extend all possible assistance to the state government in its efforts to rebuild and restore confidence among all sections of people.
During the interaction, the Chief Minister informed the Union Home Minister about the recent decision of the state cabinet to set up a new government medical college in Senapati district. The district is located in the northern part of Manipur along National Highway 2 which connects Imphal with Dimapur and Guwahati. At present, the region does not have a tertiary care teaching hospital and patients have to travel a long distance to Imphal for advanced treatment and medical education.
Officials said the proposed Senapati Medical College will be developed under the centrally sponsored scheme for setting up new medical colleges attached to existing district or referral hospitals in underserved areas. In the first phase, the college is planned with an intake capacity of 100 MBBS seats along with a 400 bed teaching hospital equipped with modern diagnostic and treatment facilities. The project will receive substantial financial assistance from the central government.
The establishment of a medical college at Senapati is expected to provide a major boost to healthcare services in the hill region. It will reduce the heavy patient load on Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences and Regional Institute of Medical Sciences located in Imphal valley. It will also complement the upcoming medical college at Churachandpur in the southern region. Apart from healthcare, the institution will create employment opportunities for local youth and encourage medical professionals to serve in hill areas.
Apart from the medical college project, Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh also briefed Amit Shah about the successful resumption of the Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati bus service which had remained suspended for several months due to frequent blockades and law and order issues. The Chief Minister said that with the active support of central armed police forces and state police, the government has been able to ensure free and safe movement of people and goods along National Highway 2 and National Highway 37.
The official statement said Amit Shah appreciated and lauded the state government for its achievement in restoring highway connectivity and public transport. He noted that National Highway 2 is the lifeline of Manipur and any disruption on this route leads to scarcity of essential commodities including fuel, medicines and food items. The resumption of regular bus services and goods movement has brought major relief to the common people and traders in the state.
The upcoming visit of Amit Shah in October will be his first visit to Manipur after the formation of the new government led by Y Khemchand Singh on February 4, 2026. During the visit, the Home Minister is expected to lay the foundation stone for Senapati Medical College at the district headquarters, inaugurate some completed infrastructure projects and lay foundation stones for several new projects related to road connectivity, police housing and health.
He is also likely to chair a high level security review meeting in Imphal with senior officials of the state government, Army and central armed police forces to assess the law and order situation. The Home Minister is expected to meet representatives of civil society groups, community leaders and displaced families staying in relief camps and listen to their concerns and suggestions for lasting peace and rehabilitation in the state.
Manipur had witnessed a prolonged period of ethnic violence that erupted on May 3, 2023. The conflict between valley based Meitei community and hill based Kuki community claimed at least 260 lives as per official records and displaced more than 60,000 people from both communities. Large number of houses, churches, temples and other properties were destroyed and many families are still living in relief camps set up in both valley and hill districts under difficult conditions.
Following continued clashes and political uncertainty, then Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned in February 2025. Subsequently, the Centre imposed President’s Rule in the state on February 13, 2025. President’s Rule remained in force for almost one year and was lifted on February 4, 2026, paving the way for installation of a new popular government headed by Y Khemchand Singh. Since then, the new government has been trying to restore normalcy through dialogue, enhanced security and development outreach.
The proposed visit of the Union Home Minister in the first week of October is being seen as a significant step towards reinforcing confidence and signalling the Centre’s strong commitment to Manipur. The detailed itinerary of the visit, including dates, venues and list of projects to be inaugurated or announced, will be finalised by the Ministry of Home Affairs in coordination with the state government in the last week of September.
