Manipur: Security tightened ahead of PM Modi's visit on Sept 13

Security measures have been tightened in Imphal and Churachandpur district headquarters town ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis likely visit to Manipur on Saturday officials saidBoth state and central forces personnel have been deployed in large numbers in and around the nearly 237acre Kangla Fort in Imphal and Peace Ground in Churachandpur where a grand stage is being constructed for the prime ministers functionModi is likely to arrive in Manipur from Mizoram but there has been no official announcement regarding it either from New Delhi or Imphal Several preparatory meetings have been held in the state in view of the visitThis would be Modis first visit to Manipur after ethnic violence broke out between Kukis and Meiteis in May 2023 Over 250 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless as a result of the violenceFrisking and checking have been intensified at Sanjenthong Minuthong and Moirangkhom areas which all lead to Kangla FortCentral security teams accompanied by state personnel are conducting roundtheclock inspection of Kangla Fort and boats of the state disaster management force have been employed for patrolling the moats which surround the fortKangla Fort served as the ancient seat of power for the then Manipuri rulers before the annexation of the princely kingdom in 1891 The fort which is surrounded by moats on three different sides and Imphal river on the Eastern side encloses a large polo field a small forest ruins of temples and state archaeological officesA central security official told PTI Sniffer dogs and advanced tools are being used to detect any unwanted materials Security personnel are taking turns to patrol the periphery and premises of the fort on foot to scan for any unwanted signs Entry of all to the fort is being registered and checked and tourist access to the fort has been restrictedAnother official said that maximum alert has been issued and drills are being conducted under the supervision of highranking officials Daily meetings of security officials are also underway to oversee the situation the official saidMeanwhile an advance team of central security officials also landed in ChurachandpurPolice and paramilitary forces have been deployed and bamboo barricades constructed along the route leading to the Peace Ground where the Prime minister is likely to address a public meetingBarricades are being constructed on both sides of the road with bamboo from the BSF Camp to the Peace ground The entire road stretch has been decorated with flowersSecurity forces have been deployed at Peace groundElsewhere in the state security forces also intensified search operations and area domination throughout all vulnerable and fringe areas of the stateTemporary checkpoints have been installed by state forces and CRPF both in the hills and valley districts to check the movement of antisocial elementsThree militants were arrested in the last 48 hours as the crackdown on antisocials intensified in the state One cadre of the banned PREPAK was arrested with a 9mm pistol from his Langthabal Kunja residence in Imphal West districtA militant of the proscribed United National Liberation Front Koireng was also arrested from Sunusiphai in Bishnupur district Another cadre of the banned KCP Taibangnganba was arrested from Wangkhei in Imphal East district on TuesdayThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever