When Rahul travels to Manipur, violence breaks out

Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the Congress, visited Manipur on Thursday, but the trip was marred by drama after his convoy was initially prevented from going to the violent Churachandpur district due to security concerns. As a result, the former lawmaker had to eventually fly to the area aboard a government helicopter, which has seen several deadly clashes since ethnic riots broke out eight weeks ago.

The BJP, the state’s ruling party, and the Congress engaged in a heated political debate as a result of Gandhi’s visit, the first by a major opposition leader since the violence reached a boiling point on May 3. The Congress charged the BJP of employing “autocratic methods” to thwart Gandhi. In response, the BJP said Gandhi was attempting to incite unrest in the sensitive state.

On Thursday at midday, Gandhi flew into the airport in Imphal under heavy security before driving the 60 kilometres to Churachandpur. However, the police subsequently urged him to return after stopping his convoy near Bishnupur town due to worries about peace and order.

“I came to Manipur to listen to all of my brothers and sisters. All communities’ members are incredibly hospitable and kind. It’s very sad that the authorities are preventing me. Manipur needs recovery. Gandhi tweeted from Bishnupur after hours-long talks with the police, “Peace has to be our primary concern. While police fired tear gas shells to disperse the throng, locals gathered in the vicinity and demanded Gandhi be allowed to pass.

Later, Gandhi made a U-turn and headed back to the Imphal airport, the state capital, from where a helicopter organised by the state government transported him into Churachandpur. There was a danger that criminals might detonate bombs along the route since law and order conditions were poor. In order to go to Churachandpur, it was suggested that he use a helicopter, Bishnupur superintendent of police Heisnam Balram Singh informed ANI.

Gandhi spoke with those affected by the violence before arriving in Churachandpur, first at the Greenwood relief camp in Tuibuong and then at the government college in Hiangtam. In Hiangtam, he also spoke with representatives of civil society groups. Gandhi said during his conversation in the YPA Hall in Hiangtam, “I have come to listen to and understand what is happening and to try and bring back peace.” The conflict between the Meitei mainstream society and the tribal Kuki clans has already claimed the lives of at least 115 individuals.

A dispute between the Congress and BJP began as a result of Gandhi’s visit.

Mallikarjun Kharge, the president of the Congress, decried the effort to obstruct Gandhi and said on Twitter, “PM Modi has not bothered to break his silence on Manipur. He has abandoned the state to its own devices. Right now, his two terrible regimes are putting a stop to Rahul Gandhi’s humanitarian outreach by using dictatorial measures.

The Congress was notified in advance that the peace and order situation did not permit him to go to Churachandpur by road, according to the ruling BJP, which dismissed the accusations as unfounded.

“But he decided to proceed anyhow despite their cautions… The police halted Gandhi’s caravan when several residents of Bishnupur protested his presence. He had to turn around and go back to Imphal, according to Sambit Patra, a prominent BJP official and the party’s Manipur representative.