Tensions escalated in Imphal on Saturday as Congress workers staged a massive protest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Manipur, marking his first trip to the state since the 2023 ethnic clashes. The demonstrations erupted just outside the historic Kangla Fort, located near the Manipur Congress Bhavan.

PM Modi, who earlier visited the Kuki-Zo-majority Churachandpur, is scheduled to address a public gathering at Kangla Fort and inaugurate infrastructure projects worth Rs 1,200 crore.

Visuals from the protest showed Congress workers holding placards with slogans such as “Manipur is burnt under BJP rule” and “Stop communal politics”.

Police acted swiftly to contain the situation, confining protesters within the party headquarters to prevent them from marching toward the event site. Additional security personnel were deployed, creating a heavy security ring around Kangla Fort and nearby roads to ensure the smooth conduct of the Prime Minister’s event.