Rahul Gandhi's convoy stopped in Manipur by police

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who was enroute to Churachandpur in Manipur, was stopped by the police near Bishnupur on Thursday. Police fired tear gas shells to quell the protest by mobs who had heated exchanges with police after the convoy was not allowed to proceed.

Gandhi arrived on Thursday on a two-day visit to Manipur where over 120 people have been killed and over 400 injured in the fierce conflicts between the Meitei and Kuki communities since May 3. Rahul came back to Imphal and then visited two relief camps in Churachandpur on a chopper. Bishnupur is around 20km away from the capital city Imphal.

“I came to listen to all my brothers and sisters of Manipur. People of all communities are very welcoming and loving. It’s very unfortunate that the government is stopping me. Manipur needs healing. Peace has to be our only priority,” Gandhi tweeted.


Rahul cancelled his Moirang visit due to bad weather and returned to Imphal. Superintendent of Police from Bishnupur, H Balram Singh, said, “Earlier the miscreants were using primitive weapons. Now, we have seen sophisticated weapons and even IEDS are used. As per the security feedback given by the police headquarters, Rahul was asked to take to a chopper.”

He said, “The miscreants might use Gandhi's visits along with some MLAs to register their grievances. In Tidim Road recently there was an IED blast. It was purely on security grounds that his convoy was stopped. However, we cannot do anything if it is thought otherwise. Chances of firing from the hills and IEDS blast cannot be ruled out. We cannot take chances.”

At some places Gandhi’s visit to the state was opposed. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said that Rahul should have been aware of the ground realities before going there.

“Despite requests to take to chopper Rahul insisted on going through roads. Rahul Gandhi wanted to go to Manipur and nobody stopped him. The local administration requested him citing protests surrounding his visit. The situation in Manipur today is due to legacy issues, largely due to Congress.