Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Manipur to inaugurate and lay the foundation for various development projects worth ₹8,500 crore. This will be his first visit to the state since the outbreak of ethnic violence between the Kuki and Meitei communities in May 2023. The violence resulted in the deaths of over 260 people and left thousands homeless.
According to officials, PM Modi will lay the foundation stone for development projects valued at ₹7,300 crore from the Peace Ground in Churachandpur, which has a Kuki majority. He will also inaugurate infrastructure projects worth ₹1,200 crore from Imphal, the capital of the Meitei-dominated state.
Speculation had been circulating that PM Modi would visit Manipur along with his official visit to neighboring Mizoram, but this was not confirmed by the government or the BJP. However, on Thursday evening, the government erected a large billboard announcing the Prime Minister’s programs at the Peace Ground in Churachandpur and the Kangla Fort in the state capital on September 13 (tomorrow).
This billboard was placed at the Keshampt Junction, a prominent location in Imphal, near the BJP’s state headquarters. More such hoardings are expected to be installed across the state. President’s rule has been in effect in Manipur since February, following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.
An advisory was issued earlier in the day, requesting those attending a VVIP event at the Peace Ground on September 13 to refrain from bringing items such as keys, pens, water bottles, bags, handkerchiefs, umbrellas, lighters, matches, pieces of cloth, any sharp objects or weapons, and ammunition.
The notification did not mention the Prime Minister by name and advised the public to avoid bringing children under 12 years of age and sick individuals to the event. Manipur’s lone Rajya Sabha member, Leishemba Sanajaoba, has called the Prime Minister’s visit a great fortune for the people and the state.
There is a history of violent clashes in Manipur. However, no Prime Minister has visited the state during such a time and listened to the people. PM Modi will be the first Prime Minister to visit during such a difficult time. In a video message, Leishemba urged everyone to welcome PM Modi and not to boycott the event.
Meanwhile, officials reported that security has been heightened in Imphal and Churachandpur district headquarters town ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit. A team of central security officials has also arrived in Churachandpur. Police and paramilitary forces have been deployed, and barricades have been set up on the routes leading to the Peace Ground.
