Imphal, Dec 11 – President Droupadi Murmu is set to begin a two‑day trip to Manipur on Thursday. She’ll attend the 86th Nupi Lal Day ceremony in Imphal and will lay foundation stones and open several development projects in the state capital as well as in the tribal‑rich Senapati district.
Because of the visit, security has been tightened across Imphal and Senapati, a region largely inhabited by Naga peoples. Government offices and agencies are working together to ensure the trip runs smoothly.
The Kuki‑Zo Council (KZC), the highest body for the Kuki‑Zo tribes in Manipur, has extended a warm welcome to the President. When she arrives in Imphal, a guard of honour will receive her, after which she’ll head to the historic Imphal Polo Ground (Mapal Kangjeibung) to watch a polo match. Last month, the ground hosted a seven‑day, 15th Manipur International Polo Tournament, one of the oldest polo grounds worldwide.
In the evening the President will join a civic reception hosted by the Manipur government at the City Convention Centre in Imphal. There she’ll also unveil a number of development projects, underscoring the Centre’s commitment to the region.
On December 12 she’ll visit the Nupi Lal Memorial Complex in Imphal to pay respects to the courageous women warriors of Manipur—figures celebrated each year on that day for their revolts in 1904 and 1939 against British rule. After that, she’ll travel to Senapati, a Naga‑in‑habited district, where she’ll speak at a public function and lay foundation stones for further projects.
As part of the visit, both banks of the 7‑km route from Imphal’s Bir Tikendrajit Airport to the Nupi Lal Memorial have been repaired, repainted, and decorated with colourful flags and large banners welcoming the President.
This is the second high‑profile trip to Manipur in three months, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit on September 13. During that trip, Modi highlighted the Union government’s sustained efforts to develop the state, noting that “Viksit Bharat will be further reinforced with Viksit Manipur” and condemning any violence in a land steeped in a tradition of standing up against injustice.
At the historic Kangla Fort, Modi inaugurated 17 infrastructure projects worth ₹1,200 crore, including Manipur Bhawan in New Delhi’s Dwarka, a new Civil Secretariat, a Police Headquarters, and a Special Economic Zone in Imphal West. He also launched 19 additional projects valued at ₹7,300 crore across different parts of Manipur, with a focus on the hill district of Churachandpur.
In a statement, the KZC said the President’s presence at this critical juncture carries deep significance and brings hope to many who still carry the scars of conflict.
Reports indicate she will attend events in both Imphal and Senapati. KZC Secretary for Information and Publicity, Ginza Vualzong, said, “While we recognise these engagements, the Kuki‑Zo Council sincerely hopes that President Murmu, a tribal herself, will also visit the Kuki‑Zo areas to meet tribal victims who have suffered since the violence erupted.”
The KZC holds the President in high esteem, not only as the nation’s first citizen but also as someone who understands the struggles, dignity, and identity of tribal communities. Vualzong added that the council remains hopeful the visit will bring renewed attention to the long‑neglected concerns of Manipur’s tribals—especially the Kuki‑Zo people who continue to face displacement, insecurity, and targeted violence that amounts to ethnic cleansing. “We urge the President to take note of the humanitarian crisis faced by our people and to use her distinguished office to ensure justice, restoration, and lasting peace in the region,” the body said.
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