Guwahati: The N Biren Singh-led Manipur government on Wednesday rejected permission to the Congress for the launch of its ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ at Hapta Kangjeibung, one of the world’s oldest polo grounds, in the northeast state’s Imphal East district, slated on Sunday (January 14).


Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) President and MLA Keisham Meghachandra Singh, who led a team of the grand old party leaders to meet state Chief Minister N Biren Singh at his office complex cum Bungalow in the state’s capital Imphal on Wednesday morning, said that Chief Minister Singh informed them that the state government could not grant permission to launch the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra at Hapta Kangjeibung citing law and order situation.


MPCC President Meghachandra Singh while terming the Manipur government’s decision as “very unfortunate,” said that the state Congress has now decided to change the venue for the launch of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra to a private place in Thoubal district’s Khongjom village.




Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal says "...We got information that the Government of Manipur declined (our request) to hold the yatra in Palace Ground, Imphal...When we are starting a yatra from East to West, how can we avoid Manipur? Then what message we are giving to the people of the country? We need to start the yatra from Manipur only. We are now going to start Yatra in Manipur from another location. Details will be announced later..."



Chief Minister N Biren Singh earlier on Tuesday (January 9) had said that decision to grant permission to use the Hapta Kangjeibung ground for the launch of the Congress’ programme is under active consideration and the state government would take a decision regarding granting permission for the same only after receiving reports from the security agencies.


The yatra will be starting from January 14 and will cover a distance of 6,713 kilometres. The participants will undertake a foot march and their will be buses as well. It will span across 110 districts, 100 Lok Sabha seats and 337 Assembly segments in 66 days ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.