A curfew has been imposed in Manipur from 6 am on Saturday by the Coordination Committee ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the state, IANS reported. The body comprising members of seven insurgent groups said the curfew will remain until Modi leaves Imphal after he addresses a rally ahead of the Assembly elections in Manipur.

Modi is scheduled to address a rally at Lanjing Achouba ground in Imphal West district. The police has heightened security in the state capital.

The group of militant outfits also called for a complete shutdown in the state and said the prime minister’s visit to Imphal is aimed at “hoodwinking the people of Manipur”, PTI reported. Corcom also alleged that the government was trying to create a wedge between communities living in the state, IANS added.

Members of the media and people working for essential services will be allowed to venture out. Media services, water supply, electricity will not be under the purview of the shutdown, Corcom said in a statement.

Meanwhile, a hand grenade was found outside the residence of Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Soibam Subhachandra in Imphal West district, PTI reported. Another bomb was found outside a BJP worker, O Sunil’s residence in Thoubal district.

The Coordination Committee consists of seven Manipur-based militant outfits – People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak and its Progressive faction, Revolutionary People’s Front, Kangleipak Communist Party, Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup, United National Liberation Front and United People’s Party of Kangleipak.

Polling will take place in 60-seat Manipur assembly in two phases on March 4 and March 8. The results will be announced on March 11.