Six banned underground outfits under the banner of the Coordination Committee (CorCOM) have announced a statewide shutdown and boycott of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s expected visit to Manipur this weekend. This would be Modi’s first visit to the state since the outbreak of ethnic violence in May 2023.

The shutdown will begin at 1 pm on Saturday and continue until the Prime Minister leaves the state, CorCOM said in a statement on Wednesday. The group alleged that the visit is not aimed at resolving the ongoing crisis but at strengthening “proxy wars” and consolidating Delhi’s control.

Accusing Modi of ignoring the violence that has claimed more than 250 lives and displaced around 60,000 people, CorCOM said, “Modi and his BJP government must take responsibility for the Manipur crisis.”

Meanwhile, top BJP leaders, including the party’s northeast in-charge Sambit Patra, arrived in Imphal on Wednesday ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit. They held a closed-door meeting at the BJP state office, which was attended by 29 legislators and former chief minister N. Biren Singh. Another meeting with allies is expected to discuss the party’s strategy and plans for the state.