PM likely to visit Kuki, Meitei strongholds in Manipur visit

Authorities in Manipur are preparing for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address two separate rallies in Imphal and Churachandpur, two of the flashpoints of the violence that has roiled the state for over two years now, when he visits the strife-torn region likely this weekend, officials said on Tuesday.

- Prawesh Lama and Thomas Ngangom

In the run up to the possible September 13 visit, Manipur governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla met Kuki-I-Zo lawmakers in Churachandpur on Tuesday, two days after meeting Meitei legislators in Imphal.

Modi is expected to visit Manipur after his visit to neighbouring Mizoram this Saturday, said people aware of developments. Officials and security forces said that Modi might address the crowd, composed largely of Kuki-Zo community members, at the main ground in Churachandpur town on Saturday afternoon. This will be his first visit to the state after violence broke out in May 2023.

“The ground is being prepared and tents have been set up to accommodate over 200 internally displaced people. For now, we have been told that he will be speaking to the families for around half an hour. After that he is set to address the crowd. Around 8,000-10,000 Kuki-Zo residents are likely to be present at the ground on Saturday,” said an officer aware of developments.