Rahul Gandhi meets Governor, CSOs; appeals for peace
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 30 2023: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met Governor Anu suiya Uikey on Friday, held talks with representatives of different civil society organisations and appealed to all sections of the society for peace in Manipur stating that "violence is no solution" .

He described the events in Manipur as a tragedy which was "painful" for the state and the country.

"Peace is the way forward and everybody should now talk about peace and start moving towards it.

1 am here and will help in any way I can to brine peace to this state, " Gandni told reporters outside the Raj Bhavan.

"I share the pain of the people of Manipur.

It is a horrible tragedy.

It is extremely sad and painful for all the people of Manipur and the people of India as well, " he said.

He described his visit to various relief camps in Imphal, Churachandpur and Moirang and his meetings with people from all communities.

"One of the things I would say to the government is that the basic amenities at the camps need to be improved.

Food needs to be improved.

Medicines need to be supplied.

Such complaints have come from the camps," Gandhi told newspersons.

During his meeting with the Governor, the latter as sured that steps are being taken to restore peace in the state as Rahul Gandhi ap-rised the Governor about is visit to relief camps,in Churachandpur, Imphal East and Bishnupur districts and narrated the hardships expe rienced by the inmates there.

While expressing deep concern over the law and order situation in state and shortage of essential items like baby food, medicine of various ailments in relief camps, Rahul Gandhi assured the Governor that his party will extend fullest cooperation to bring peace and tranquillity in the state so as to maintain status quo on the age-old co-existence.

Governor also informed Rahul Gandhi the common programme of actions already taken up/proposed to be taken up by both the central and state governments to restore peace and tranquillity and bring the situation under control through an amicable dialogue.

Expressing deep shock and anguish at the unprecedented ethnic clash which led to hei-.

nous killing of several innocent people, injuries suffered by many and damage caused to houses and properties, the Governor appealed to all concerned to solve the problem through a peaceful and amicable dialogue.

In a message, the Governor regretted that the inhuman incident will adversely affect the youth of Manipur, particularly children who are the pillar of the future and in coming time this will be a challenging task for them.

She further appealed to all, especially mothers and sisters to restrain from blocking security forces on the roads as they are discharging their responsibilities for the safety of the people and to not believe in any rumour and desist from it as far as practicable.

In order to keep the situation under control, she appealed to all to abstain from arson and not to take law in hands.

She reiterated that all issues can be and should be resolved through dialogue.

Earlier during the day, Rahul Gandhi met members of civil society organisations here and listened to their problems.

Among the organisations included Coordination Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), representatives of United Naga Council, the apex body of Naga community in Manipur, Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee Manipur, and prominent personalities including JNU professor Bimol Akoijam.

Gandhi, who went to Moi-rang in Bishnupur district in a chopper from here, also visited two relief camps met a number of affected people and listened to their plight.

The camps shelter around 1,000 people.

He was accompanied by.

former chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh, party general secretary (organisation) KC Venu-gopal, PCC president Keisham Meghachandra Singh and former MP Ajoy Kumar.

He visited the INA war memorial and placed a floral tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and the freedom fighters who raised the tricolour there in 1944 .

"We visited Moirang and went to two relief camps.

After meeting the people of the relief camps, we visited the Netaji memorial where Rahul, Gandhi paid floral tributes," Dr Kumar said.

On Thursday, he had visited relief camps in Churachandpur, one of the worst affected towns in the ethnic rioting, which has plagued the state for the last two months.

High drama ensued during the trip, as his convoy of cars was stopped at Bishnupur by the local police, fearing the carcade may face attacks.

Gandhi eventually turned back and flew to Churachandpur by a helicopter.

The Congress leader is on a two-day visit to Manipur to "bring a healing touch" to local communities.

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