Manipur completely split in two, rues Rahul Gandhi
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 08 2024: During his visit to Manipur on Monday, leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi said that the need of the hour is peace and called upon the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Manipur, engage with its people, gain insights into the prevailing situation, and resolve the crisis that has been keeping the state on the boil for the last 14 months.

"The need of the hour is peace.

Violence is hurting everybody; thousands of families have been harmed and I have never seen, anywhere in India, what is going on here.

The state is completely split in two and it is a tragedy for everyone involved, Rahul Gandhi said at a press conference held here on Monday evening after visiting several relief camps and meeting with the Governor.

"I want to tell all the people of Manipur - I come here as your brother, I come here as someone who wants to help you, who wants to work with you to bring back peace in Manipur.

I am ready to do whatever I can, Congress party is ready to do whatever it can to bring back peace here," he added.

He emphasised the importance of the Prime Minister visiting Manipur to listen to its people and understand the current situation along with highlighting Manipur's significance as a proud state of the Indian Union, while underscoring the need for leadership presence even in times of peace.

"The Indian government and everyone who considers himself a patriot," he said, "must reach out and embrace the people of Manipur and bring peace to Manipur".

"I feel that it is important that the Prime Minister come here, listen to the people of Manipur, try & understand what is going on in Manipur.

After all, Manipur is a proud state of the Indian Union...even if there was no tragedy, the Prime Minister should have come to Manipur," Gandhi said.

"In this huge tragedy, I request the Prime Minister to take 1-2 days of his time and just come and listen to the people of Manipur.

It will comfort the people of Manipur.

We are, as the Congress party, ready to support anything that would improve the situation here," the Congress leader, who met the victims at relief camps in the state, was quoted by news agencies as saying.

Recalling his visit to the strife-torn state, Gandhi said, "It's the third time I have come here since the problem started and it has been a tremendous tragedy.

I was expecting some improvement in the situation but I was disappointed to see that the situation is still nowhere near what it should be".

"I visited the camps and heard the people there, heard their pain.

I came here to listen to them, to build confidence in them and as somebody who is in the opposition, to try and apply pressure on the government so that it acts," the Congress MP said.

On his meeting with Governor Anusuiya Uikey, the opposition leader said, "We had a conversation with the Governor and we expressed to the Governor that we would like to help in whatever way we can.

We also expressed our displeasure, and said that we are not happy with the progress that has taken place here.

I don't want to go further into politicising this issue, that's not my intention".

On Monday morning, Rahul Gandhi landed in Silchar in Assam's Cachar district, where he visited a relief camp located in Hmarkhawlien village, where Kuki-Zo people are taking shelter.

Around 2,000 people, mostly from Meetei community, have been displaced after a flare-up of violence in Jiribam - which has a mixed population - last month, after nearly 13 months of relative calm there amidst conflict in other parts of the state.

The hard-earned peace was shattered when a Meetei farmer was killed by Kuki militants on June 6, this year and his mutilated body was found later that day.

He then headed towards Jiribam, where he met displaced Meetei people at Jiribam Higher Secondary School relief camp at around 11 am.

He stayed there and interacted with the displaced people for around 20 minutes.

From there, he returned to Silchar and flew to Imphal, and then travelled to Churachandpur district.

On his way back to Imphal, he stopped at Moirang in Bishnupur district, meeting displaced people in both places.

MPCC president Keisham Meghachandra, speaking to reporters, highlighted the interactions between Rahul Gandhi and the camp's residents.

"Inmates shared their harrowing experiences and immediate needs with him," Meghachandra said, as quoted by news agency PTI.

He added that one young girl noted, "Neither the Prime Minister nor the Chief Minister has come to visit us.

Please raise our issue in Parliament.

She urged Gandhi to raise their plight in Parliament".

The visit witnessed an overwhelming response from the locals.

"People came out in thousands to greet Gandhi in Jiribam, with many weeping while talking to him," added Meghachandra.

Highlighting the purpose of Gandhi's visit, Meghachandra stated, "Rahul Gandhi's visit aims at providing support to the people and assessing the situation on the ground.

His presence reflects the party's commitment to addressing the concerns of those affected by the recent violence".

Violence erupted in Manipur on May 3 last year after a Tribal Solidarity March organised by All Tribal Students Union, Manipur (ATSUM) turned violent in Churachandpur district.

After the initial attack on Meetei villages like Torbung, Phougakchao Ikhai and Kangvai, it further spread to Churachandpur town, Kangpokpi andd Moreh town before reaching the valley areas.

Last week in Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said instances of violence had declined in Manipur.

He added that the reopening of schools, offices, and establishments in the state is a sign of normalcy being restored.

His speech came after Rahul Gandhi and Inner Manipur MP Prof Bimol Akoijam came down hard on the Prime Minister and Central government, in Lok Sabha the day before, for ignoring the Manipur conflict for over a year.

Comment