Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Manipur on Saturday, almost two years after ethnic violence shook the state. Billboards and banners in Imphal welcomed him ahead of the visit. Modi will inaugurate and lay foundation stones for projects worth Rs 8,500 crore, while also addressing a public gathering at Kangla Fort.
PM Modi. Image/File pic
With reports suggesting that Prime Minister Modi might finally go to Manipur, several billboards and banners welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi were put up. As reported by news agency PTI, several billboards were put up in the state's capital, Imphal, on Friday.
Almost two years after ethnic violence broke out in Manipur, the Indian Prime Minister is finally scheduled to visit the state on Saturday. The Prime Minister, during his visit to violence-hit Manipur, will be unveiling projects valued at Rs 8,500 crore, officials said.
As reported by news agency PTI, a large gate, measuring more than 20 feet in length, with "Welcome Shri Narendra Modi ji" written on it, was erected near the BJP state headquarters in Manipur’s capital, Imphal.
The gate welcoming PM Modi’s banner was set up on the route through which the prime minister is expected to pass on Saturday to reach Kangla Fort from Imphal airport.
The billboards installed all across Imphal informed about the laying of foundation stones for projects worth Rs 7,300 crore and the inauguration of projects worth Rs 1,200 crore. As per reports, billboards have also been set up in Sanjenthong and in an area near the Nupi Lan complex.
While Prime Minister Modi is expected to address a public gathering at Kangla Fort, this will be his first visit to the Northeastern state since the violence broke out.
Along the 7-km route from Imphal airport to Kangla Fort, temporary wooden barricades have also been set up by the side of the pavements, suggesting that PM Modi’s visit to Manipur is almost confirmed.
Also, the workers have been engaged in cleaning activities and repainting road medians ahead of the prime minister's visit.
While the opposition parties have been criticising the prime minister for not visiting the northeastern state, his trip to the Northeast could probably give out a different message. Manipur in 2023 experienced clashes between the Kuki and Meitei communities that left over 260 people dead and thousands homeless since May 2023.
Earlier in 2024, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee President Keisham Meghachandra Singh accused the Centre of its alleged inaction on the prolonged violence in Manipur, reported ANI.
The MPCC chief further claimed that a memorandum was given to Prime Minister Modi on Friday, requesting him to pay a visit to Manipur or engage with the state political leaders to address the ongoing issue. However, PM Modi’s visit to Manipur might well be the game-changer in the Northeast states' political spectrum.
(With inputs from PTI and ANI)
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