INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
NEW DELHI: High drama ensued in violence-hit Manipur on Thursday as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi arrived for a two-day visit to the state as
The Congress leader had to stop at Bishnupur, around 20 kilometres from Imphal, after police halted his convoy fearing attacks on it.The
blocking of his convoy triggered a political slugfest as the Congress alleged that the BJP-led government is trying to thwart the leader's
issue.03:07Watch: Rahul Gandhi arrives in violence-hit ManipurHere are the latest developments:After arriving at Imphal, he was travelling
in a convoy to Churachandpur to visit relief camps in the area
However, his convoy was stopped by the Manipur police at Bishnupur, about 20 kilometres from Imphal.Police officials said the convoy was
stopped fearing violence along the route
The police officials said that tyres were burnt on the highway near Utlou village in Bishnupur district and a few stones were thrown at the
convoy.Terming it as "unacceptable" Congress party chief Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that the government was "using autocratic methods to
stall a compassionate outreach by Rahul Gandhi".Congress general secretary K C Venugopal while speaking to ANI said that the police said
that they are not in a "position" to allow the leaders to head forward.Meanwhile, the All Manipur Students Union' issued a statement today
condemning the successive governments in the state and said that the Congress Party has a big role to play in it
We believe that the present communal crisis in Manipur is a result of the political blunders that have been committed by the successive
It's very unfortunate that the government is stopping me
I came to listen to all my brothers and sisters of Manipur
Bishnupur for hours.The Congress hit out at the government and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of using "autocratic methods" to stall
his "compassionate outreach" to those hit by ethnic violence.Congress general secretary, organisation, K C Venugopal, who accompanied
Gandhi, said, "After initially allowing us, our convoy led by Rahul Gandhi was stalled near Bishnupur on the orders of the Manipur CM."The
BJP termed as "irresponsible behaviour" of Rahul Gandhi and said a person is reported to have lost his life in the strife-torn state due to
the Congress leader's "stubbornness".Meanwhile, Rahul visited people displaced by the ethnic strife at Churachandpur in Manipur after
reaching there in a helicopter
Gandhi went to a relief camp and interacted with the inmates.(With agency inputs)
