- Friday, February 28, 2025
The opposition leader landed in state capital Imphal and was heading for Churachandpur, one of the worst-affected districts, to meet people displaced by ethnic clashes
By: Shubham Ghosh
THE north-eastern Indian state of Manipur witnessed drama unfolding as the convoy of opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, who reached the violence-hit state on Thursday (29) for a two-day visit, was stopped by the local police. They requested him to take the aerial route instead.
The 53-year-old leader, who slammed prime minister Narendra Modi over his alleged silence on the ongoing violence in the state, landed in capital Imphal in the morning and was heading for Churachandpur, one of the worst-affected districts of the state to meet people displaced by ethnic clashes, when the police stopped him.
Around 50,000 people have been staying in more than 300 relief camps across Manipur since the clashes started on May 3.
According to Manipur Police sources, Gandhi’s convoy was stopped in Bishnupur, around 20 kilometres from Imphal, over security concerns. Officials requested him to take a helicopter instead of travelling by road.
One of the officers said they feared violence along the route.
“Rahul Gandhi’s convoy has been stopped by police near Bishnupur. Police say that they are not in a position to allow us. People are standing on both sides of the road to wave to Rahul Gandhi. We are not able to understand why have they stopped us,” Congress general secretary KC Venugopal told Asian News International.
Clashes broke out in Manipur in early May following a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ in its hill districts on May 3 to protest against the majority Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status. Communities such as Nagas and Kukis protested against the demand.
More than 100 people have died in the clashes while several hundreds were injured. Properties were also destroyed, including the residence of a central minister in Imphal earlier this month.
