Imphal: PM Narendra Modi will visit Manipur on Saturday. He will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of projects worth Rs 8500 crore here. Manipur Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goyal said that the Prime Minister will first reach Churachandpur from Mizoram and then go to Imphal. At the same time, before PM Modi’s visit, there was a clash between miscreants and security forces at two places in Kuki-dominated Churachandpur district on Thursday evening.
Foundation stone of projects worth 7300 crores and inauguration of projects worth 1200 crores
Manipur Chief Secretary said that in line with his commitment to the inclusive, sustainable and holistic development of Manipur, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of several development projects worth more than Rs 7,300 crore in Churachandpur. While several development projects worth more than Rs 1200 crore will also be inaugurated. He said that the Prime Minister’s visit to Manipur on September 13 will pave the way for peace, normalcy and development in the state. PM Modi will interact with internally displaced people in Churachandpur and Imphal. Security arrangements tightened in Manipur
Security arrangements have been tightened in Imphal and Churachandpur ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s possible visit to Manipur on Saturday. No official announcement has been made yet regarding the Prime Minister’s visit to Manipur. But he is likely to reach Manipur after his Mizoram visit.
Soldiers deployed around Kangla fort spread over 237 acres
Preparations for the Prime Minister’s visit to the state are going on at a rapid pace. A large number of state and central forces have been deployed around the Kangla fort spread over about 237 acres in Imphal and the Peace Ground in Churachandpur. A grand stage is also being constructed there for the Prime Minister’s program. In this sequence, many meetings have also been organized in the state. This will be Modi’s first visit to Manipur after ethnic violence broke out between the Kuki and Meitei communities in May 2023. More than 250 people were killed and thousands were rendered homeless in the violence that continued in the state for months.
Kangla Fort is being inspected round the clock
Central security teams along with state employees are inspecting the Kangla Fort round the clock and boats of the State Disaster Management Force have been deployed to patrol the trenches around the fort. Kangla Fort used to be the ancient center of power of the then Manipuri rulers before the merger of the princely state in 1891. Surrounded by trenches on three sides and the Imphal river on the eastern side, the fort is surrounded by a large polo ground, forest, ruins of temples and state archaeological offices.
Help of sniffer dogs being taken in investigation
A central security official said, sniffer dogs and advanced equipment are being used to detect any unwanted material. Security personnel are patrolling the fort’s outskirts and premises on foot in turns to check for any unwanted object or person. Tourist movement in and out of the fort has been restricted. Another official said maximum alert has been sounded and continuous drills are underway under the supervision of high-ranking officials. Daily meetings of security officials are also underway to keep a close watch on the situation.
Cordon put in place at Churachandpur’s Peace Ground
A team of central security officials has already reached Churachandpur. Police and paramilitary forces have been deployed and barricades have been put up on the road leading to the Peace Ground, where the Prime Minister is expected to address a public meeting. Search operations are also underway in sensitive and border areas in other parts of the state. The CRPF has set up temporary checkpoints to check the movement of anti-social elements in both the hill and valley districts.
Clashes between miscreants and security forces
Ahead of PM Modi’s visit, clashes broke out between miscreants and security forces at two places in Kuki-dominated Churachandpur district on Thursday evening. Officials gave information about this. The miscreants tore banners and cutouts on the roads. At the same time, barricades erected for the Prime Minister’s visit at Pearsonmun village and Filian Bazar were also broken. Officials said that the miscreants set fire to the torn pieces and threw stones at the security personnel before fleeing. A district official said that flag marches and patrolling by paramilitary forces are continuing to restore order and normalcy in Churachandpur.
