Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Imphal on Thursday on a two-day visit to Manipur to inaugurate and lay the foundation stones of several projects in the northeastern state. Of the projects include a statue of a polo player, a medical college hospital and an Indian national flag at the army headquarters.

Manipur holds cultural and religious significance to India and has a rich history spanning 3,000 years, Shah said on Friday. He also spoke to the BJP's efforts, which has ruled over the state for the past two terms.

"In the past six years, Manipur hasn't faced any blockade, curfew or terrorism," Shah alleged. "We (BJP) had promised to free Manipur of riots and terrorism if given a chance. Today, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's and Chief Minister N. Biren Singh's rule, Manipur is headed toward development."

Shah inaugurated the Marjing Polo Statue at Imphal's Marjing Polo Complex, a 120-feet statue of a polo player riding a pony. Manipal is the birthplace of the polo sport or Sagol Kangjei as it is known there. It is the only state in India where a women's polo tournament has been organised annually, News18 reports.

"This will surely take the legacy forward and inspire more youngsters toward the game," the minister tweeted.

It is believed that Sagol Kangjei, the modern-day Polo game originated in Manipur. Today, inaugurated a 122 feet Marjing polo statue at the Marjing Polo Complex in Imphal. This will surely take the legacy forward and inspire more youngsters toward the game. pic.twitter.com/x1T0xmcF4s

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) January 6, 2023

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh hopes the project will also promote polo tourism and attract visitors to the statue.

Shah also inaugurated the Churachandpur Medical College, the first medical college in the state on Friday. He applauded the chief minister for the new "state-of-the-art facility" and the government's determination in providing modern healthcare.

PM Modi-led BJP govts are constantly expanding the health infrastructure to provide modern healthcare.Inaugurated the Churachandpur Medical College in Manipur. I applaud CM @NBirenSingh Ji for this state-of-the-art facility that will benefit the people of this hilly region. pic.twitter.com/rhflCHCnHD

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) January 6, 2023

The Home Minister also hoisted a 165-foot tall national flag at heritage site of Indian National Army (INA) headquarters in Moirang. The flag is the tallest in the North East and serves as a reminder for the Indian freedom struggle, Shah said. The Moirang area in Bishnupur district is where INA soldiers hoisted the tricolour for the first time on Indian soil during the end of World War II.

Immensely proud to unveil a 165 feet long Tiranga, the tallest in North East at the historic ‘Azad Hind Fauj’ headquarters in Moirang, where Netaji’s INA hoisted the Tiranga in 1944.

The Tiranga will keep reminding us of the heroes of our freedom struggle and inspire the youth. pic.twitter.com/PqUFjVCoBT— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) January 6, 2023

"It is an honour for someone like me to have hoisted the flag here in Moirang," Shah said in his address.

Shah is also scheduled to inaugurate and lay foundation stones of various other projects at Chingei Lampak area in Bishnupur district.

Referring to his party's victory in the state in 2022, Shah on Friday recalled journalists "laughing" at him for the BJP's goal to build a government in Manipur despite getting 0.3 percent votes.

The Bharatiya Janata Party retained its power in Manipur in the 2022 assembly election, grabbing 27 of 60 seats. In the 2017 assembly election, the BJP had won 21 seats and formed the government with some regional parties. Chief Minister Biren Singh credited the victory to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.

Also read: Manipur Election Results Highlights: BJP retains power in state, wins 27 seats in 60-member House

Preparations

Shah was received at the airport here by Manipur's chief minister, Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Education R. K. Ranjan and senior government and police officers.

CM Biren Singh on Thursday inspected the INA headquarters in Bishnupur district and Marjing Polo Complex in Imphal East district ahead of Shah’s visit. Singh had on Wednesday inspected the Churachandpur Medical College.

Meanwhile, the Manipur government has beefed up security in the state ahead of the visit of the Home minister also ordered ”no fly zone for drones and UAV” as well as clearing up of unattended vehicles and construction materials along the route and site where Shah is set to visit.

The District Magistrate of Churachandpur has ordered ”no fly zone for drones and UAV” at Churachandpur Medical College and it’s vicinity from Friday early morning till Shah’s departure.

Similar orders at the INA headquarters Moirang area were also issued by the District Magistrate of Bishnupur.

(Edited by : Ayushi Agarwal)

First Published:Jan 6, 2023 10:43 AM IST