Manipur violence: Rahul Gandhi to visit Moirang, meet people at relief camps
More than 100 people have lost their lives in the ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur 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 ST status.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is on a two-day visit to ethnic strife-torn Manipur will visit Moirang on Friday. On the first day of his visit to relief camps in Churachandpur, his convoy was stopped by the police midway and he had to take a helicopter to reach his destination.
As per Congress' State President Keisham Meghachandra, he will visit the relief camps and meet the affected people there. Later, he will return to Imphal and meet 10 like-minded party leaders, United Naga Council (UNC) leaders and civil society organisation members.
#WATCH | Manipur | Congress leader Rahul Gandhi left for Moirang, from Imphal, this morning.As per Congress' State President Keisham Meghachandra, he will visit the relief camps and meet the affected people there. Later, he will return to Imphal and meet 10 like-minded party… pic.twitter.com/VNMAbnh08B
— ANI (@ANI) June 30, 2023
The Gandhi scion had said, "Manipur needs healing. Peace has to be our only priority. People of all communities are very welcoming and loving. It’s very unfortunate that the government is stopping me. I came to listen to all my brothers and sisters of Manipur."
Gandhi, who had earlier flown into Imphal on Friday morning was stopped by the local police at Bishnupur, around 20 kilometres from Imphal, citing demonstrations on the way.
A large number of people, mostly women, gathered near the spot and demonstrated both for and against the visit.
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 percent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals -- Nagas and Kukis -- constitute another 40 percent of the population and reside in the hill districts.
First Published: Jun 30, 2023 10:15 AM IST
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