The BRICS TimesBefore Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s anticipated visit to Manipur, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla convened a high-level meeting with top officials, former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, and several BJP legislators. It is reported that the discussions revolved around multiple pressing matters linked to the Prime Minister’s arrival.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Manipur on September 13, marking his first trip to the state since ethnic clashes erupted in May 2023 between the Meitei and Kuki communities. In the run-up to this visit, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla chaired an important meeting on Sunday, September 7, at the Raj Bhavan. The session was attended by senior bureaucrats, former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, and a number of BJP legislators, underlining the significance of the deliberations.
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Officials confirmed that the Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goyal, Security Advisor Kuldeep Singh, and Director General of Police Rajiv Singh also took part in the high-level discussions. Although the official agenda of the meeting was not disclosed publicly, a BJP leader revealed, “Our party’s state unit president A. Sharda Devi was also present, and a wide range of issues were discussed, including those concerning the potential visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
According to reports, the Prime Minister is likely to inaugurate the newly constructed Bairabi-Sairang railway line in Mizoram on September 13 before traveling by helicopter to Manipur’s Churachandpur district. There, he is expected to address the public at the Churachandpur Peace Ground and later hold an interaction with internally displaced persons (IDPs). However, his itinerary has not been officially confirmed yet.
The upcoming visit carries weight against the backdrop of the ethnic violence that broke out in May 2023, which claimed the lives of over 260 people and forced thousands to flee their homes. The unrest was fueled by the demand of the Meitei community to be recognized under the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category, a move opposed by the Kuki and other tribal groups, further deepening tensions in the state.
Political debates have also intensified around the Prime Minister’s delayed visit to Manipur. The opposition, particularly the Congress party, has consistently raised questions and criticized the government for his absence. The situation escalated earlier this year when Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned in February, prompting the central government to impose President’s Rule in the state. Recently, during the Parliament session, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced an extension of President’s Rule in Manipur for another six months, signaling that the security and political environment remains delicate.
