Imphal : Manipur has begun extensive preparations for President Droupadi Murmu’s expected two-day visit starting December 11. Officials said on Tuesday that workers are repainting the median along the 7-km stretch from Imphal airport to the Nupi Lal Memorial Complex and decorating it with colourful flags.

A 20-foot welcome banner for the President has already been installed near Keisampat Junction on the airport route. “We have not received the official itinerary yet, but instructions have come to put security measures in place for a VVIP visit,” an official confirmed.

Meanwhile, a coalition of militant groups has announced a “total shutdown” to protest Murmu’s visit. According to another official, the President is likely to attend a programme in Imphal on December 11 and pay homage to women freedom fighters at the Nupi Lal Memorial Complex on December 12.

Nupi Lal marks two historic women’s uprisings — in 1904 and 1939 — against British colonial actions and is observed every year on December 12. The President is also expected to travel to the Senapati district, a Naga-majority region, for another event on December 12, the official added.

Commandos of Lamphel Police Station arrested an active extortionist of the Kangleipak Communist Party, People’s War Group (KCP-PWG), from the Langol Laimanai area under Lamphel PS in Imphal West district on Tuesday.

Ahead of President Droupadi Murmu’s proposed visit to the border state, Manipur police commandos arrested two underground cadres during separate operations in sensitive locations, officials said on Wednesday.

Commandos of Lamphel Police Station arrested an active extortionist of the Kangleipak Communist Party, People’s War Group (KCP-PWG), from the Langol Laimanai area under Lamphel PS in Imphal West district on Tuesday.

The arrested cadre, Akham Romesh Singh, also known as Thoisana (30), hails from Toupokpi Mayai Leikai in Bishnupur district. Police recovered a mobile phone and an Aadhaar card from his possession.

In a second operation, security forces apprehended a cadre of the banned Kanglei Yaol Kanna Lup (KYKL), identified as Ahanthem Punikanta Singh, also known as Deepak (43), a resident of Phumlou Maning Leikai in Imphal West. He was nabbed near Sunrise Ground in Moreh under Moreh PS in Tengnoupal district.

President Droupadi Murmu is likely to begin her two-day visit to Manipur on December 11, with authorities tightening security despite a “total shutdown” call issued by several militant outfits opposing the tour.