Imphal, Nov. 15: The Manipur government has appealed to organisations not to call any bandh during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh?s two-day maiden visit to the state on November 20.

Singh had promised to visit the state when he met leaders of the Apunba Lup, a group of organisations agitating for withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, early this month.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister had promised to replace the act by a more ?humane law?, which had ?satisfied? the delegates. But the organisation is yet to withdraw its agitation launched after the death of Thangjam Manorama in the custody of Assam Rifles.

Yet, official sources ruled out any bandh by the Apunba Lup. They are apprehensive that some other organisations may call general strikes. ?If a bandh is called, the people will remain indoors,? a worried official said.

Terming the Prime Minister?s visit as ?historic?, Gaikhangam, a spokesperson for the Secular Progressive Front coalition, appealed to the people to extend full co-operation to the government to make Singh?s visit a success.

?The Prime Minister will hand over Kangla Fort to the state government and launch a series of development programmes. His visit will accelerate the development activities being taken up by the government. In the interest of the state, the visit should be welcomed by all,? he said.

Information and public relations commissioner I.S. Laishram asked the people to come to Kangla Fort to attend the reception function to be addressed by the Prime Minister on Saturday afternoon.

Despite the appeal, the United Naga Council, the apex body of Nagas in Manipur, has decided to go ahead with its 10-day economic blockade on the two national highways from November 17.

Another organisation from Thoubal district also threatened to boycott the visit if the government does not include a project for the construction of a 100-bed hospital in Singh?s list of development programmes.