Prime Minister Narendra Modi to campaign in Manipur for poll

Imphal: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to arrive here today to address a public meeting at Langjing Achouba ground . Union HRD Minister Prakash Javedkar, MOS Home, Kiren Rijiju and large numbers of BJP leaders are camping in Imphal to oversee the visit of the Prime Minister. Coordination Committee (CorCom), a conglomerate of major rebel groups of Manipur, has imposed a total shutdown call in the state today from 6 am till the departure of the Prime Minister to oppose the visit. Due to the shut down all business and educational establishments were closed down.

All intra and inter state passenger services were also cancelled. Roads were deserted . Inspite of the shut down people have started arriving at the venue to attend the rally of the Prime Minister. The visitors were screened and frisked by security personnel. Extraordinary security measures were taken up today throughout the state in view of the visit. Manipur Police personnel and special security team sanitized the areas where the Prime Minister is expected to travel. Police stopped and checked every vehicle and frisked the passengers .

The Prime Minister is expected to address the rally around noon. A team of the Special Protection Group (SPG) is also reviewing the security scenario. Two hand grenades were also found in two separate places on Friday. The BJP has also made efforts to clarify on the peace framework signed with the NSCN(IM . The signing of the framework has not gone down well with the people of Manipur who were against disturbing the territorial integrity of Manipur. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had also clarified that the framework will not disturb Manipur. Union MOS Home, Rijiju who arrived here on Friday said the Framework Agreement signed between the Government of India and NSCN-IM on August 3, 2015 will not affect the territorial integrity of Manipur.

The Framework Agreement is a short document which acknowledges the uniqueness of Naga history and Naga problems he added. He assured to discuss the matter by involving all the stakeholders. The All Manipur Students Union (AMSU) has launched a major campaign attacking office of the Raj Bhawan and the BJP to give details of the framework. Meanwhile, about 83 candidates of different political parties have signed a paper to urge the Government of India to bring out a white paper on the Framework Agreement . Civil organisations like UCM, CSSK have also launched a campaign to demand revelation of the framework. (UNI)