Rahul Gandhi meets violence-hit people in Manipur's Churachandpur

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday met violenceaffected people in Manipurs Churachandpur on the first day of his twoday visit to the state that has seen ethnic violence Congress leaders who earlier alleged that the authorities were preventing him from meeting victims later said the administration did not permit him to come to MoirangBJP leaders accused Rahul Gandhi of trying to derive political benefit from his visit to the state Manipur Congress president Keisham Meghachandra said Rahul Gandhis visit to Moirang had been cancelled The administration did not permit him to come to Moirang neither by road nor by air He could meet the violenceaffected people only in Churachandpur He is returning to Imphal and will stay the night there There is no clarity on if he will be able to continue with his visits scheduled for tomorrow he saidRahul Gandhi in a tweet earlier said Manipur needs healing and peace has to be the only priority I came to listen to all my brothers and sisters of Manipur People of all communities are being very welcoming and loving Its very unfortunate that the government is stopping me Manipur needs healing Peace has to be our only priority he saidHe also visited a relief camp near the state capital The Congress said that despite attempts and hurdles by the government Rahul Gandhi met victims of violence He assured them that he is always with them He assured them that situation will return to normal the fire of enmity will get doused there will love among people Congress said in a tweetRahul Gandhi who landed in Imphal on Thursday returned to the state capital after local police prevented his convoy from proceeding to Churachandpur Police said it had been done for security reasons and the Congress leader could go by airSeeing the ground situation we stopped him Rahul Gandhi from moving forward and advised him to travel to Churachandpur via helicopter There is the possibility of a grenade attack along the highway through which VIP Rahul Gandhi is moving Keeping his security and safety in mind were not allowed him Bishnupur Superintendent of Police SP Heisnam Balram Singh told ANIThe Congress leaders convoy was stopped at a checkpost near Bishnupur which is about 20 kilometres from Imphal Police party workers and locals staged a protest and later police used tear gas to disperse the crowd Congress leaders accused the government of stopping Rahul GandhiWe dont know why the government stopped us Rahul Gandhis visit will strengthen the peace efforts The condition is pathetic in all areas We have to listen to them Rahul Gandhi listens to everyones stories He has given the message that peace will come that they should not worry and that everyone is with them party leader KC Venugopal said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also questioned the government over police stopping Rahul GandhiHe is going there to meet the people suffering in relief camps and to provide a healing touch in the strifetorn state PM Modi has not bothered to break his silence on Manipur He has left the state to fend for itself Kharge said in a tweet Former Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh rejected criticism that Rahul Gandhi was trying to politicise the situationCongress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi said that it is the duty of every patriot to make efforts for peace and brotherhood in the country It is the duty of every patriot to make efforts for peace and brotherhood in the country Rahul Gandhi has gone to share the pain of the citizens of Manipur and spread the message of peace The BJP government should also do the same Why does the government want to stop Rahul Gandhi she asked in a tweetBharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Sambit Patra slammed Rahul Gandhi for his visit Rahul and responsibility never travel together Rahul Gandhis visit to Manipur is irresponsible It is with sadness that I have to say that his adamancy is not correct Patra said Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said no one should try to derive political benefit from the situationConsidering the situation in Manipur the central amp state government are responsible to bring the situation there under controlThere is no need for any political leader to go there they wont be bringing any resolution to the situation if theres any positive output of their visit then it is another thing otherwise there will be just a media episodewe should not get any political benefit out of the sad situation of a state he saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever