President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Manipur on Thursday for a two-day visit — her first to the state since assuming office — amid stringent security measures and a shutdown called by militant organisations.

The visit comes three months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s September trip and over a year after ethnic clashes between Meiteis and Kukis plunged the state into prolonged turmoil.

Upon landing in Imphal, President Murmu headed to Mapal Kangjeibung (Imphal Polo Ground) to attend a polo event organised by the Youth Affairs and Sports Department. She is also scheduled to offer prayers at the Shree Govindajee temple later in the day, where preparations are underway, according to the temple board.

In the evening, the President will attend a civic reception at the City Convention Centre before halting for the night at Lok Bhavan. On Friday, she will participate in the state-level observance of Nupi Lan, commemorating the women-led uprisings of 1904 and 1939 against British rule. She is also expected to attend a programme in Senapati district, a Naga-majority area.

Imphal witnessed tight security arrangements throughout the day. The Coordination Committee (CorCom), a collective of banned insurgent groups, imposed a shutdown from 1 am Thursday until the President’s departure, affecting normal life across the valley. Markets, educational institutions and most vehicles remained off the roads.

Meanwhile, the Meitei organisation Arambai Tenggol (AT) urged President Murmu to address the plight of internally displaced persons (IDPs), many of whom continue to live in difficult conditions despite the availability of central welfare schemes. The organisation called for transparent and unbiased delivery of benefits and stressed that displaced families “look to the nation with trust”.

AT also highlighted concerns over “unregulated cross-border movement” and reiterated its demand for stronger verification systems, including the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur.