Patil to arrive today amidst rebels' boycott
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal/Kohima, March 09 2011: Security forces in the state, particularly in Imphal areas have been put on high alert following the announcement of 40-hour general strike by the banned MPLF as part of a boycott of the two day visit of President Pratibha Devi Singh Patil.

The President who arrived at Kohima today will be arriving in Imphal around 4 pm tomorrow on her two day visit in the state.

Security forces and police have intensified mopping operations in and around the Imphal areas, mostly at places where the President is to tour, sources said.

Police conducted searches as rebels are likely to indulge in violent activities like laying ambush on police and security forces by planting bombs on the roads, the police officer said.

However, there were no specific inputs of such activities, he maintained.

The banned Manipur People's Liberation Front (MPLF) has called a 40-hr general strike as part of its boycott of the President's visit in the state.

The strike would be effective from midnight of March 9 till 4 pm of March 11 .

President Pratibha Devisingh Patil arrived at Kohima this afternoon on a three-day maiden visit to the north-eastern states of Nagaland and Manipur.

On her arrival at Kohima, Assam Rifles helipad from Dimapur airport, she was received by Governor Nikhil Kumar and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.

She will be attending a cultural programme this evening at Raj Bhavan, official sources said.

The source said that she will also meet representatives of various NGOs, tribal councils and civil society organisations.

The state government will have a public reception in her honour at Naga Heritage Village near Kohima.

Patil would leave for Imphal tomorrow afternoon and spend the next two days there, the sources said.

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