Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said that the government "stopping him from meeting the violence-affected people of Manipur" was unfortunate. "I came to listen to all my brothers and sisters of Manipur. People of all communities are being very welcoming and loving. It’s very unfortunate that the government is stopping me. Manipur needs healing. Peace has to be our only priority," he said.
Gandhi visited the relief camps at Churachandpur and shared lunch with kids.
Gandhi on Thursday took a helicopter to visit Churachandpur after his convoy was stopped by the police near Bishnupur while he was en route to meet the victims of ethnic strife in Manipur on Thursday. Earlier in the day, he had arrived in Imphal from Delhi for a two-day visit to the violence-hit state.
According to a source at the airport, Rahul Gandhi availed a helicopter provided by the state government, and top police and administration officials accompanied him during the flight, as reported by PTI. Police officials stated that the convoy was halted due to concerns of potential violence along the route. They also mentioned incidents such as burning tires on the highway near Utlou village in Bishnupur district and some stones being thrown at the convoy.
As a precautionary measure, the convoy was requested to halt at Bishnupur, stated a police officer according to PTI. The Congress party accused the BJP governments at the central and state levels of employing "autocratic methods" to obstruct Rahul Gandhi's visit.
MPCC President K Meghachandra, speaking to ANI, expressed his frustration, stating that people were eager to welcome Rahul Gandhi, but the roads were being blocked by Bishnupur SP, ASP, ADM, and other police officials. He claimed that instructions were given by the Manipur Chief Minister to block the roads and accused them of politicizing the situation under the pretext of poor law and order.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge slammed the "double-engine disastrous governments" for using "autocratic" methods to hinder Rahul Gandhi's compassionate outreach. He deemed these actions as unacceptable and a violation of constitutional and democratic norms.
The ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur has already claimed over 100 lives. The clashes initially erupted on May 3 during a 'Tribal Solidarity March' held in the hill districts, protesting against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
In Manipur, the Meiteis constitute approximately 53 percent of the population, primarily residing in the Imphal Valley, while the Nagas and Kukis, categorized as tribals, make up another 40 percent and reside in the hill districts.