PM Modi’s Manipur Visit Tentatively Set for Sept 13; Rehabilitation Package Expected

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's anticipated visit to Manipur - his first since the ethnic conflict erupted in May 2023 - Governor Ajay Bhalla has directed ruling alliance MLAs to actively engage with their constituencies to help ease tensions ahead of the trip, The Indian Express reported.

Although an official announcement about the Prime Minister's visit is yet to be made, Governor Bhalla convened a meeting of the ruling alliance MLAs at Raj Bhavan on Sunday. The gathering was attended by over 20 legislators, including former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, Speaker Th. Satyabrata Singh, and Manipur BJP chief A. Sharda Devi.

During the meeting, officials shared a tentative itinerary indicating a possible visit on September 13, after Prime Minister Modi's engagements in Mizoram earlier in the day. The plan suggests he will first visit the Kuki-Zo-majority district of Churachandpur around noon.

By 2 pm, he is expected to fly by helicopter to Kangla Fort in Imphal, where he will address the public. Following the address at the Peace Ground, he is scheduled to proceed to Imphal Airport by 3:30 pm. He will then head to Assam.

It was further conveyed that the Prime Minister may meet displaced individuals affected by the conflict. All MLAs are likely to be seated in a VIP enclosure within the audience area at Kangla Fort and will not be invited onto the dais alongside the Prime Minister. They were asked to disseminate the message in their constituencies to ensure smooth proceedings and prevent any disturbances during the visit.

A rehabilitation package for Manipur's conflict-affected population is likely to be announced during the visit, the English daily reported citing sources

Separately, the state BJP issued a notice on Sunday calling for an emergency joint meeting of office-bearers, spokespersons, state morcha presidents, and district presidents of BJP, Manipur Pradesh, The Tribune reported.

The notice urged all party leaders "to make it convenient to attend the meeting without fail." Interestingly, a government notification issued after the initial preparatory meeting on August 30 merely described it as a "VVIP visit" without specifying the Prime Minister.

In the broader context, Prime Minister Modi's itinerary includes visits to Mizoram and Assam on September 13 and 14. On September 13, he is expected to inaugurate the Bairabi-Sairang railway line from Lammual in Aizawl.

The following day, Modi will participate in the Bhupen Hazarika centenary celebrations in Guwahati and visit Mangaldoi and Numaligarh in Assam. He is also likely to be in Tripura on September 22 to inaugurate the redeveloped Tripura Sundari temple.