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Newmai News Network
Imphal | December 10
Imphal is witnessing a flurry of activity as preparations are reaching their final stages for the much-anticipated visit of President of India, Droupadi Murmu, who is expected to arrive in Manipur on Thursday for the first time since assuming office.
From freshly painted road medians to towering welcome gates, the city is being given a facelift along the 7–8 km stretch between Imphal International Airport and Kangla’s Southern Gate, the route the President’s motorcade is likely to take. The stretch, passing through Nupi Lal Memorial Complex, is lined with banners bearing greetings for the country’s first tribal woman President.
Officials confirmed that although the official itinerary had not been received by 3 pm on Wednesday, all preparations were nearly complete. “We are ready for the visit. Final touches are being done on the route,” an official said.
A post by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Manipur, however, offered a clue about the schedule. It announced a “Civic Reception of Smt Droupadi Murmu” at the City Convention Centre, Imphal East, to be held at 4 pm on Thursday, December 11, which will also be live-streamed on social media.
Manipur, under President’s Rule since February 13 following the resignation of N Biren Singh as chief minister, is preparing for the VVIP visit amid extraordinary security arrangements. Dozens of checkpoints have been activated at key junctions such as Keishampat, Kwakeithel, Mantripukhri, Lamlong Bazaar, and Singjamei.
A senior police officer said, “We are maintaining high alert across Imphal. Frisking and checking are underway at multiple points.”
Sources hinted that the President may attend the Nupi Lal Day ceremony at the Nupi Lal Memorial Complex, visit the Mapal Kangjeibung Polo Ground, and possibly travel to Senapati district during her stay.
Even as the state prepares to roll out the red carpet, underground militant groups have announced a boycott of the visit. The Coordination Committee (CorCom) — a conglomerate of six banned outfits including KCP, KYKL, PREPAK, PREPAK-Pro, RPF (PLA’s political wing), and UNLF-- has declared a total shutdown from 1 pm of Thursday until the President departs the next day.
In a strongly worded statement, CorCom termed the visit “unacceptable,” accusing New Delhi of continuing a “proxy war” and using “repressive measures” in Manipur. The group claimed that the President’s presence during the Nupi Lal commemoration was meant to “legitimize Indian authority over Manipur.”
The President’s visit comes as Manipur continues to grapple with the aftermath of the ethnic violence that broke out on May 3, 2023, which claimed over 260 lives and displaced more than 60,000 people.
