Manipur: Miscreants clash with forces ahead of PM Narendra Modi's visit; security tightened

NEW DELHI: Miscreants clashed with security forces at two places in Kuki-majority Churachandpur district of Manipur on Thursday evening, days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the northeastern state, officials said.Officials said the miscreants tore down banners and cut-outs put up along the roads and vandalised barricades erected for the Prime Minister’s visit at Pearsonmun village and Phailien Bazar. They also set fire to the torn pieces and pelted stones at security personnel before fleeing the spot.

A district official told PTI that paramilitary forces have launched flag marches and intensified patrolling in Churachandpur to restore order and normalcy.Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Manipur on Saturday, where he will unveil projects worth Rs 8,500 crore. Of this, he will lay the foundation stones for development projects valued at Rs 7,300 crore from Peace Ground in Churachandpur and inaugurate infrastructure works worth Rs 1,200 crore from the state capital, Imphal.Speculation had been rife in recent days that Prime Minister Modi might combine his official visit to neighbouring Mizoram with a trip to Manipur, but neither the government nor the BJP had confirmed the plans.

On Thursday evening, however, the government put up a large billboard announcing the PM’s programmes at Peace Ground in Churachandpur and Kangla Fort in the state capital on September 13.The hoarding was installed at Keisampat Junction, a key location in Imphal near the BJP’s state headquarters, and more such billboards are expected across the state.Manipur has been under President’s Rule since February following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.(With inputs from agency)