The opposition Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi was on a visit to meet with those displaced by ethnic conflict in the state of Manipur in the northeast.
The Manipur police reportedly stopped Rahul Gandhi’s convoy citing security concerns at a check post near Bishnupur, about 20 kms from the capital city of Imphal.
Conflicts between the predominantly Meitei and Kuki communities have rocked Manipur for the past two months. The violence has resulted in more than 100 fatalities and 400 injuries. A large number of people have left their homes.
After the Meiteis, the state’s dominant ethnic group, wanted tribal recognition, which grants access to advantages like forest land and government job and education quotas, clashes broke out.
Mr. Gandhi planned to visit Manipur for two days and meet with representatives of various civil society organizations.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has met with senior government officials to discuss the situation in Manipur, but he has come under fire for not traveling to the state or making any remarks about it.
Home Minister Amit Shah visited the region about a month after the outbreak of violence to implement a strategy to bring about a return to normalcy, but new acts of violence are still being recorded virtually every day.
On Thursday morning, Mr. Gandhi posted on Facebook that “restoring peace is the top priority” after landing in the state capital of Imphal. Manipur needs healing, and we can only achieve harmony by working together.
After that, however, senior Congressman KC Venugopal informed the media that Mr. Gandhi’s convoy had been stopped by police close to Bishnupur district while he was en route to Churachandpur town to visit relief camps.
“Police claim that they are unable to permit us. Rahul Gandhi is being waved to by people who are gathered on both sides of the street. We cannot comprehend why they have stopped us?” stated Mr. Venugopal.
According to the police, the convoy was stopped to ensure Mr. Gandhi’s safety. According to Heisnam Balram Singh, a senior Bishnupur police official, “Seeing the ground situation, we stopped him from moving forward and advised him to travel to Churachandpur via a helicopter.”
The leader of the Congress Party, Mallikarjun Kharge, charged that the BJP administration was “using autocratic methods to stall a compassionate outreach” by Mr. Gandhi.
“This is completely unacceptable and violates all democratic and constitutional standards. Not conflict, but peace, is what Manipur needs, he tweeted.
However, the timing of Mr. Gandhi’s visit, according to certain BJP leaders, was politically motivated.
Due to the unrest in Manipur, about 60,000 people have been forced to flee and are now staying in about 350 camps.
The opposition is calling for the resignation of the state’s BJP-affiliated chief minister, N Biren Singh, at the same time as Mr. Gandhi planned his visit.
Congress leaders have demanded the imposition of federal authority in response to criticism leveled at Mr. Singh for failing to “restore peace and normalcy” in the state.
Numerous homes, churches, and temples have been burned down since the conflict started in early May, and several state politicians’ and ministers’ residences have also been attacked and set on fire.
To stop the violence, about 40,000 security personnel have been stationed.
But the tight atmosphere is still present. The locals’ ability to live their normal lives has been utterly disrupted by curfews, internet blackouts, sporadic killings, and arson.
