PM Narendra Modi to open Indian Science Congress in Manipur amid shutdown called by insurgents

IMPHAL: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Friday inaugurate the 105th session of the Indian Science Congress and launch many developmental projects in Manipur later.

As per the information, the Prime Minister will arrive in a special aircraft of Indian Air Force at 9.25 am and depart at around 1.30 pm.

#TopStory Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deliver the inaugural address at the 105th session of the Indian Science Congress at #Manipur University in Imphal. PM to also inaugurate & lay foundation stone of various development projects in the state (File pic) pic.twitter.com/iXhoD6tURN — ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2018

''The Prime Minister will inaugurate the 105th Indian Science Congress 'Reaching The Unreached Through Science and Technology' at 10 am,'' Public Relations Officer Ganesh Sethi of Manipur University said in a statement on Thursday.

The Science Congress will see a congregation of about 5000 delegations including three Noble laureates, scientists, scholars and researchers from all across the country, the PRO said.

Following the inaugural session of the Science Congress, PM Modi will head for Luwangshangbam at 11.55 am where he will lay the foundation stones for Luwangpokpa Multi-Sports Complex, National Sports University and freedom fighter Rani Gaidinliu Park at Mantripukhri.

PM Modi will also be addressing a public gathering at Luwangshangbam in the vicinity of Imphal West district.

The Prime Minister is visiting Manipur a day after completion of one year of the BJP-led coalition government in the state today.

Security in the state, particularly in Imphal town and the places where PM Modi will visit and lay down foundation stones, have been beefed up, said high ranking police officials.

Area sensitization, daily combing operations and round-the-clock vigilance to check any anti-social activities have been in process for the last eight days, a high ranking police official said.

Meanwhile, the Coordinating Committee (Corcom) formed by six proscribed underground organisations in Manipur had called for a 17-hour shutdown in Manipur to coincide with the state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh on March 16.

The Corcom said the shutdown will come into effect from 1 am on March 16. 

It appealed to the people not to participate in official functions and said examinations and other essential services will be exempt from the proposed shutdown.