Imphal: Manipur governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla with 23 state BJP legislators including former chief minister N. Biren Singh and Manipur Pradesh BJP president A. Sarda Devi held a high-level closed-door meeting at Bhavan here on Sunday of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Manipur.
The meeting was attended by chief secretary Puneet Kumar Goel, security advisor Kuldiep Singh and DGP Rajiv Singh.
Three BJP Meitei MLAs L. Susindro Singh, Th. Biswajit Singh and K. Govindas did not take part in the meeting.
Five Kuki BJP MLAs Vungzagin Valte, Letzamang Haokip, Paolienlal Haokip, Letpao Haokip and Nemcha Kipgen were also not present during the closed-door meeting.
They have been among 10 legislators demanding a separate administration for Kuki-Zo people.
The governor confirmed to the MLAs that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be arriving in Imphal at around 2:30 pm on September 13 following his visit to Churachandpur on the same day, a source said.
The Prime Minister failed to visit Manipur even as Manipur experiences crisis that erupted on May 3, 2023. The reason for Modi avoiding to visit Manipur was a serious concern for the people of the state. Questions have been raised by various sections at the state and national platforms.
“No legislators will be allowed to sit on the dais along with Modi, except for some dignitaries including Bhalla. A separate meeting with legislators and the Prime Minister is yet to be confirmed,” the source added.
No agenda for the formation of a new popular government was taken up during the meeting, even though one of the MLAs raised the issue.
Manipur has been under President’s Rule since February after N.Biren Singh resigned as chief minister.
As per the preparatory meeting chaired by the chief secretary on August 30 at the conference hall of the Manipur Secretariat, Imphal, the chief secretary directed commissioner (Works) and chief engineer, Public Works department to arrange a crowd capacity of around 15,000 in Kangla, Imphal, and about 9,000 people at Peace Ground, Churachandpur.
The statement issued by the government directed to prepare plaques for inauguration and foundation for all projects as per the standard size and format prescribed by the Prime Minister’s Office.
Renovation and decoration works in Imphal and Churachandpur have been taken up in full swing.
The district magistrate, Churachandpur, on September 4 declared the whole district of Churachandpur a ‘No Drone Zone’ to ensure and strengthen security during the visit of the VVIP.
