Rahul Gandhi visits relief camps in Manipur; calls for PM Modi’s presence

IMPHAL — Leader of the Opposition and Congress MP in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Monday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Manipur, listen to the people and offer comfort during this time of crisis.

While addressing the media at Congress Bhavan in Imphal after visiting relief camps in the violence-hit state, Gandhi said it was important for the prime minister to visit and listen to the people of Manipur. He also noted that the situation in the state was “nowhere near what it should be”.

On the part of the Congress, “we are ready to support anything that could improve the situation,” he said, during his third visit to the state since the outbreak of ethnic conflict on May 3 last year.

In January this year, Gandhi commenced the party’s mass outreach programme, Bharat Jodo Yatra from Khongjom in Manipur’s Thoubal district. Prior to this, he also visited the state and interacted with internally displaced persons in June last year.

Stating that Manipur is a proud state of the Indian Union, he reiterated Modi should prioritise visiting, especially during such a crisis.

On his current visit, he said, “I came here to listen to them, build confidence, and, as a member of the opposition, try to apply pressure on the government. Frankly, I was expecting some improvement in the situation, but I was quite disappointed to see that it is still nowhere near what it should be.”

“We had a conversation with the Governor and expressed to her that we would like to help in whatever way we can,” he said, sharing about the meeting with Governor Anusuiya Uikey at Raj Bhavan in Imphal.

Also read: Manipur’s apex tribal body urges LoP Rahul for political solution to ethnic strife

Prior to meeting the Governor, Gandhi visited relief camps in Churachandpur and Bishnupur districts. He had also visited relief camps in Jiribam town, 220 km west of Imphal, soon after landing at Silchar airport in Assam’s Cachar district, which borders Jiribam district.

Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee President Keisham Meghachandra, CLP leader and former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi and CWC member Gaikhangam were also present during the media briefing.

It may be noted that fresh violence was reported in Jiribam on June 6 after a farmer was found dead with injuries on his neck.

Manipur has been grappling with violence since the ethnic conflict broke out between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in May of last year, which claimed more than 200 lives and displaced over 50,000 people, many of whom are still living in relief camps.

Also read: I stand with people of Assam, their soldier in Parliament: Rahul Gandhi