Imphal, September 10: With Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to visit Manipur on September 13, central BJP leaders have begun arriving in the state to oversee preparations.
BJP Manipur in-charge Ajit Gopchade and national spokesperson Sambit Patra landed at Imphal International Airport on Wednesday, where they were greeted warmly by state BJP leaders, including party president A Sharda Devi, MLAs L Shushindro, T Basanta, S Ranjan, and several party workers.
Speaking to reporters at the airport, Patra described Modi’s upcoming visit as a “turning point” for Manipur. “The people of Manipur can expect some good news. With the PM’s visit, everything will be well in Manipur,” he said.
Sources said the BJP headquarters in Imphal was abuzz with back-to-back meetings since morning, with party MLAs expected to hold discussions with Gopchade and Patra to fine-tune organisational matters ahead of the high-profile visit.
Meanwhile, the Kuki-Zo community expressed strong reservations over a proposed cultural performance to welcome the Prime Minister. Meeting Governor Ajay Bhalla on Tuesday, community groups insisted that the ongoing pain of displaced families made such celebrations inappropriate. “We can’t dance with tears in our eyes,” said the Gangte Students’ Organisation in Churachandpur. Similarly, the Imphal Hmar Displaced Committee remarked, “Our mourning is not over, our tears not dried, our wounds not healed — we cannot dance with joy.”
The groups urged Modi to directly interact with displaced families in relief camps instead of presiding over grand cultural events. Even so, they acknowledged that his visit could offer a vital opportunity for violence-hit people to air their grievances and seek healing.
Kuki Inpi Manipur, the apex Kuki body, stressed that the Prime Minister’s visit should go beyond symbolic gestures and instead “serve justice and recognise the Kuki-Zo people’s collective aspirations.” It reiterated that only a political solution, not temporary relief measures, could address their demands.
