Manipur police stops Rahul Gandhi's convoy at Bishnupur
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday took a helicopter to visit Churachandpur, after being stuck at Bishnupur for hours as his convoy was stopped by the police.
By Newsmeter Network Published on 29 Jun 2023 10:50 AM GMT
Imphal: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's convoy was on Thursday stopped by the Manipur police at Bishnupur, about 20 kilometres from Imphal, officials said. After arriving at Imphal, he was travelling in a convoy to Churachandpur to visit relief camps in the area.
Police officials said the convoy was stopped fearing violence along the route.
They said that tyres were burnt on the highway near Utlou village in Bishnupur district and a few stones were thrown at the convoy. "We fear repetition of such events and hence as a precaution, requested the convoy to halt at Bishnupur," a police officer told.
Congress office bearers are speaking with the police and army authorities to ensure safe passage for their party leader. 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.
Rahul Gandhi takes helicopter
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday took a helicopter to visit Churachandpur, after being stuck at Bishnupur for hours as his convoy was stopped by the police, sources said.
"Rahul Gandhi took a state government-provided chopper to visit Churachandpur. Top police and administration officials accompanied him in the helicopter," said a source at the airport.
The Congress leader, who was on a two-day visit to the ethnic strife-torn northeastern state from Thursday, came back to the Imphal airport from Bishnupru and boarded the helicopter, the sources said. .
Tear gas was used at Bishnupur by the local police on demonstrators - some of whom wanted him to proceed to Churanchandpur, while others opposed his visit.
Gandhi's convoy was travelling to Churachandpur to visit relief camps in the area.
Inputs from PTI
