Manipur gears up for President Droupadi Murmu’s two-day visit

Guwahati: Manipur has begun extensive preparations for President Droupadi Murmu’s expected two-day visit starting December 11.

Officials said on Tuesday that workers are repainting the median along the 7-km stretch from Imphal airport to the Nupi Lal Memorial Complex and decorating it with colourful flags.

A 20-foot welcome banner for the President has already been installed near Keisampat Junction on the airport route.

“We have not received the official itinerary yet, but instructions have come to put security measures in place for a VVIP visit,” an official confirmed.

Meanwhile, a coalition of militant groups has announced a “total shutdown” to protest Murmu’s visit.

According to another official, the President is likely to attend a programme in Imphal on December 11 and pay homage to women freedom fighters at the Nupi Lal Memorial Complex on December 12.

Nupi Lal marks two historic women’s uprisings — in 1904 and 1939 — against British colonial actions and is observed every year on December 12.

The President is also expected to travel to the Senapati district, a Naga-majority region, for another event on December 12, the official added.