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 part of the party’s “healing touch” campaign.

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 visit, while the saffron party accused him of being “stubborn”.Congress has been attacking the Modi government and chief minister Biren Singh for their “failure” in restoring normalcy, while also questioning the “silence” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the 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.

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We believe that the present communal crisis in Manipur is a result of the political blunders that have been committed by the successive governments that have ruled Manipur over time and Congress has a big role to play," the union said.“People of all communities are very welcoming and loving.

It's very unfortunate that the government is stopping me.

I came to listen to all my brothers and sisters of Manipur.

Manipur needs healing.

Peace has to be our only priority,” Rahul Gandhi tweeted.Rahul Gandhi took a helicopter to visit Churachandpur, after being stuck at 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)