Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla met with five MLAs from the Kuki-Zo communities in Churachandpur on Tuesday. They talked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s possible visit to Manipur on September 13. Officials shared this update, but they kept the meeting details under wraps.
A police official confirmed the gathering at the Deputy Commissioner’s office. The group discussed preparations for the PM’s likely trip to the district on Saturday. Sources say the Governor chatted with MLAs Ngursanglur Sanate, Vungzagin Valte, L Haokip, L.M. Khaute, and Paolienlal Haokip. BJP’s Churachandpur district president Thanglam Haokip joined them too. These MLAs represent assembly seats in Churachandpur and Pherzawl districts, home to many Kuki-Zo tribal people.
Just days earlier, on Sunday, Bhalla held another meeting with BJP MLAs from the Imphal Valley area. Former Chief Minister N Biren Singh, BJP state president Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi, the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Security Advisor, and Home Commissioner attended that one.
The Opposition Congress isn’t happy about these meetings. They slammed the Governor for teaming up only with BJP leaders ahead of PM Modi’s potential Manipur visit. Congress leader and former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh called it a “shocking display of partisanship.” He said it lowers the dignity of the Governor’s constitutional role and ignores democratic principles by excluding opposition voices.
Singh, along with other party members, told the media that all MLAs should join talks on Manipur’s ongoing crisis, no matter their party. “Excluding opposition MLAs is an insult to the people of Manipur,” he added. He demanded inclusive discussions to tackle the ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kukis that started in May 2023.
Right now, the Prime Minister’s Office hasn’t confirmed PM Modi’s Manipur visit. But recent reports suggest he’ll head there on September 13—his first trip to the state since the clashes began. The plan includes stopping in Mizoram’s capital Aizawl to launch the 51.38 km Bairabi-Sairang railway project. From there, he’ll visit Imphal and Churachandpur in Manipur.
Preparations are in full swing. Workers are setting up a grand stage at Kangla Fort in Imphal’s heart. Beautification drives are happening across Imphal West district to make everything look sharp for the PM’s arrival.
In Churachandpur, the district administration is taking no chances. They’ve banned drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), balloons, and other flying objects across the entire hill district ahead of the “VVIP visit.” District Magistrate Dharun Kumar S issued the order on September 4, turning the area into a ‘No Drone Zone’ for safety.
Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that PM Modi will visit Assam for two days on September 13-14. The trip focuses on the birth centenary celebrations of Bharat Ratna awardee and cultural icon Bhupen Hazarika. The PM will kick off the official events in Guwahati on September 13.
As tensions simmer in Manipur amid the ethnic conflict, everyone watches closely for updates on the Prime Minister’s schedule and how it might help ease the situation.
