Manipur Prepares For PM Modi's Saturday Visit, 1st Since Ethnic Violence Broke Out In 2023; What's On Agenda?

Imphal: The Manipur government is taking every precaution to prepare for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first visit since ethnic violence broke in the northeastern state in May 2023.

Announcing Modi’s September 13 visit, Puneet Kumar Goel, the chief secretary of Manipur government, sounded optimistic.

“PM’s Saturday visit to Manipur will pave way for peace, normalcy, growth in state,” Goel said.

Modi’s schedule includes a programme at Peace Ground in Churachandpur, a Kuki-majority area, where he will be laying foundation stone for development projects worth Rs 7,300 crore.

The PM will also be visiting Meitei-majority Imphal, where he will inaugurate infrastructure projects valued at Rs 1,200 crore, officials said.

A large billboard has been put up, announcing Modi’s programmes at Peace Ground and Kangla Fort in Imphal.

Security has been tightened in Imphal and Churachandpur town.

The state government has issued an advisory for the ‘VVIP programme’ at Peace Ground. The public has been instructed not to carry keys, pens, water bottles, bags, handkerchiefs, umbrellas, lighters, matchboxes, cloth pieces, sharp objects or weapons.

In another notice, people have been asked to refrain from bringing children under 12 or unwell persons to the event.

Days ahead of Modi’s visit, the government had already banned air guns in Churachandpur district.

Congress and other Opposition parties had repeatedly questioned why Modi didn’t visit Manipur which had been burning for nearly two-and-a-half years.

Clashes between Kuki and Meitei communities have claimed more than 260 lives and displaced thousands.

Rahul Gandhi welcomes Modi trip, Ramesh says too rushed

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi welcomed Modi’s trip to Manipur.

“The issue in Manipur has been ongoing for a long time. It is good that he is going there now,” Rahul said in Gujarat’s Junagadh.

Congress general secretary in-charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh, however, took a swipe at the “preparations” for Modi’s visit, describing it as an insult to the people of Manipur.

In a post on X, Ramesh shared a newspaper clipping about the arrangements and wrote: “The proposed visit of the Prime Minister to Manipur on Sept 13 is being hailed by his cheerleaders. But it appears that he will be spending just about 3 hours–yes, just 3 hours–in the state. What does he hope to accomplish by such a rushed trip?”

Modi will also be visiting Mizoram, where he will inaugurate the Bairabi–Sairang railway line project