New Delhi: A scuffle broke out between police and Congress supporters in Manipur's Bishnupur where Rahul Gandhi's convoy was stopped earlier today. His convoy was travelling to Churachandpur to visit relief camps in the area, where individuals who have been displaced due to the ongoing ethnic violence in the northeastern state have sought refuge.
He had earlier in the day landed at Imphal from Delhi for a two-day visit to the violence-hit state.
Party workers and locals had staged a protest after Congress leader's carcade was stopped by the police in Bishnupur, which is about 20 km from Imphal.
Police officials said the convoy was stopped fearing violence along the route. “There is a security threat. We cannot take the risk of allowing Rahul Gandhi to proceed,” a senior police official said.
After the multi-hour wait, he is now slated to take a chopper to the program venue.
The Congress, however, alleged that the BJP governments at the Centre and the state are using "autocratic methods" to stall the visit of Gandhi.
Speaking to ANI, MPCC President K Meghachandra said, "People are standing on the roads to welcome Rahul Gandhi but Bishnupur SP, ASP, ADM and other police officials are blocking the roads. I have heard that there were instructions given by Manipur CM to block the roads. They are politicising this. They are only saying that the law and order situation is not good and are not allowing us to move ahead"
The "double-engine disastrous governments are using autocratic methods to stall a compassionate outreach by Shri Rahul Gandhi. This is totally unacceptable and shatters all constitutional and democratic norms," Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge tweeted.
Meanwhile, Police sources said tyres were burnt on the highway near Utlou village in Bishnupur district and a few stones were thrown at the convoy.
"We fear a repetition ofpsuch events and hence as a precaution, requested the convoy to halt at Bishnupur," a police officer told PTI.
More than 100 people have lost their lives in the ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities in the northeastern state so far.
Clashes first broke out on May 3 after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals -- Nagas and Kukis -- constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts.