Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Manipur on September 13, more than two years after terrible violence erupted there, utterly displayed his lack of social sympathy for the suffering humanity of the state crying for justice. The carefully curated visit more marked by spectacle and adornment didn’t mean anything for the victims who are brutally subjected to a civil war-like situation and ethnic cleansing.Death of hundreds of people, parading of women without clothes, horrible sexual assaults on scores of females, displacement of more than 60,000 victims and destruction of houses and places of worship in Manipur for more than two years warranted that Modi should have displayed abundant measure of empathy.His political grandstanding was amply visible in his statement, “Today, I promise you that I am with you, the Government of India is with you…” Such assurances of solidarity after more than two years of lingering violence and hatred plaguing the people in the state, sounds brazenly hollow.A propaganda visitThe people of Manipur who are facing persisting violence, living without homes and deeply mourning with the loss of dear ones, were expecting Modi to give the much-needed healing touch and not grandiloquently declare that infrastructure development would be key tool for integration and progress. It unmistakably left an impression that his whirlwind tour with a stopover in Manipur was propaganda visit.Devoid of inclusive approachThe prime minister’s visit to the worst hit Churachandpur largely inhabited by kuki, zomi and hmar tribes should have been accompanied by Meitei people. And there should have been some Kukis in his team when he visited the Meitei dominated Imphal valley.Such inclusive approach would have surely sent a valuable signal of unity and reconciliation among the different tribes. If Modi could not demonstrate the spirit of reconciliation and understanding while visiting Manipur, how does he expect victims of bloodshed and mayhem summon spirit of unity and integration?His utterances that “any kind of violence in Manipur is unfortunate, it is an injustice to Manipur’s forefathers and the future generations” mean empty formalities which convey nothing to those driven from their homes and leading a pitiable life in refugee camps devoid of adequate food and semblance of dignity.Idea of missing justiceThe title of an Indian Express article, “ Modi in Manipur: Impeccable choreography, Silence on First Principles” authored by Sangmuan Hangsing sums up the visit bereft of human touch and therapeutic value. Hangsing puts it poignantly by stating, “The trip has been thick with inaugurations and figures and thin where it counts. No dates to dismantle the levy points. No timetable for safe return.”It is rather painful that Prime Minister Modi never uttered a word on justice the violence ridden people of Manipur deserve. It would have been appropriate if the visit would have been exclusively organised for Manipur alone to spend quality time with people without mixing it with visits to some other north eastern states such as Assam and Mizoram.The pattern he established in doing so is a replay of what he did when in July 2023, three months after violence got escalated in Manipur and some women were disrobed and publicly paraded.At the time, while expressing his outrage and shock, he had said, “I appeal to all CMs to strengthen law and order in their states. Whether the incident happens in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh or Manipur, rising above political disputes and maintaining the significance of the rule of law and the respect for women is crucial.”He had faced criticism for clubbing horrifying offences committed against Manipuri women with incidents in the aforementioned states, which were then ruled by the opposition Congress party.The announcement by Modi of the Rs 3,600-crore Manipur Urban Road Project and the Rs 500-crore Infotech Development Project, his reference to reduction of GST rates and Viksit Bharat meant nothing for people of Manipur torn by violence and divisive policies followed by the BJP regime there.Exclusive reports done by the Wire indicated that then BJP Chief Minister of the State Biren Singh had admittedly instigated violence. The matter concerning these audio tapes is pending in the Supreme Court.So, there is prima facie evidence showing the culpability of Singh and complicit of the State. Just announcing outlays and inaugurating projects would never render justice. In her piece in Indian Express, Hangsing has very sharply remarked that “Development as a cure to the situation is the theme of the visit, as if roads and ribbon-cutting can act as a substitute for dialogue, justice and a plan for safe return”.Reconciliation and peace a distant goalWhile addressing a peace committee meeting in riot hit Noakhali on November 25, 1946, Mahatma Gandhi had referred to the money he received from someone for the victims of communal violence and said, “It is not a question of giving monetary aid, but of restoring confidence by respect shown to the culture of others”.Modi must ask the question to himself if his visit to Manipur after more than two years of violence and bloodshed in the state has restored confidence by respect shown to the victims and their ways of living.BJP MLA from Manipur Paolienilal Haokip said in his interview to Karan Thapar that Modi even refused to meet BJP legislators and other groups and so his visit was disappointing, it failed expectations and his speech was “hollow rhetoric.”It meant that peace, reconciliation and justice for Manipur are distant goals.S.N. Sahu served as officer on special duty to President of India K.R. Narayanan.