Rahul Gandhi takes chopper to Manipur’s Churachandpur after cops stop convoy

MANIPUR,JUNE 29: Massive protests broke out in Imphal today with demonstrators shouting ‘Go back Rahul’ chants as the Congress leader arrived in the violence-hit state on a two-day visit. Security forces fired tear gas shells to control the mob. The Congress leader, whose convoy to Churachandpur district from Imphal was stopped by the police earlier in the day over security concerns, took a chopper to visit the district.

Rahul Gandhi’s convoy was stopped in Bishnupur, about 20 kilometers from Imphal.

“Seeing the ground situation, we stopped him (Rahul Gandhi) from moving forward and advised him to travel to Churachandpur via helicopter. There is a possibility of a grenade attack along the highway which VIP Rahul Gandhi would have taken. Keeping his security and safety in mind, we have not allowed him,” senior police officer Heisnam Balram Singh said.

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The Congress leader plans to visit relief camps in Churachandpur, which has witnessed some of the worst cases of ethnic violence in the state .

The police had also said that Rahul Gandhi’s convoy could be mistaken for a cavalcade of “attackers” in Churachandpur, putting his security at risk.

Rahul Gandhi’s visit and the drama that followed triggered a blame-game between the Congress and the BJP. The Congress accused the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government and the BJP-led government in the state of using “autocratic methods” to stall his visit.

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.

‘Autocratic efforts’: Congress slams Centre as Rahul’s convoy stopped in Manipur

The BJP hit back, accusing Rahul Gandhi of being “stubborn” for “petty political gains”, with a “chopper ticket costs only Rs 2,500” swipe.

“Rahul Gandhi’s Manipur visit was vehemently opposed by many Civil Society Organisations & Student Unions in Manipur. Keeping this in mind, the administration requested Rahul Gandhi to take the helicopter to Churachandpur.

“Looking into the sensitive situation to “Understand” is more important than being “Stubborn” for petty political gains,” BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said.

This is the first visit of the Congress leader to the northeastern state since violence broke out on May 3.

 “Manipur has been burning for nearly two months, and desperately needs a healing touch so that society can move from conflict to peace. This is a humanitarian tragedy and it is our responsibility to be a force of love, not hate,” KC Venugopal added.

During his tour, Rahul Gandhi will visit various relief camps, where displaced individuals have sought refuge from the ravages of violence.

Around 50,000 people are now staying in over 300 relief camps across the state since ethnic strife started in May this year.

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.

-ANI