PM calls off Assam visit on Jan 10, but may make it on Jan 22

Guwahati: Amid the ongoing protests over Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) across the state, the much-awaited visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate the third edition of Khelo India Youth Games in Guwahati has been called off, say sources.

However, sources in the home ministry informed EastMojo that the Centre is very closely monitoring the development in Assam as Prime Minister Modi is now likely to visit the city in Assam on January 22, to take part in the closing ceremony of the games.

Due to some important developments which are likely to be witnessed on that day (January 22), such as the Supreme Court hearing of 59 petitions related to CAA and hanging of Nirbhaya gangrape and murder convicts, the PM’s visit to the state has not been confirmed yet, sources added.

Meanwhile, in Modi’s absence, Union minister of state for youth affairs and sports Kiren Rijiju is now likely to inaugurate Khelo India Youth Games in Guwahati on January 10.

This is the second time that Modi’s visit to the state has been called off within a month.

Earlier, the PM’s visit to Guwahati along with Japanese PM for an India-Japan summit from December 15-17 was called off due to the violent anti-CAA movement across the state.

Highly-placed intelligence sources informed EastMojo that the decision to call off the high-profile visit was taken following reports that some leading civil society groups are planning to stage massive protests during the day when Prime Minster reaches Guwahati on January 10.

The powerful All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) had also warned PM Modi of “massive protests” if he visits Assam to inaugurate Khelo India Youth Games in Guwahati on January 10.