GUWAHATI: Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, who on Monday visited Manipur and met displaced people of warring Meitei and Kuki communities at relief camps, urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the state and try to understand the situation there.
“It is important that the PM comes to Manipur, listens to the people, try and understand what is going on here. After all, Manipur is a proud state of the Indian Union,” he told the media in Imphal.
“…I request him to take one or two days of his time and just come and listen to the people. It will comfort them. They all want him to come. Perhaps, the entire country wants him to visit Manipur,” he added.
Gandhi, who is accompanied by senior Congress leaders, is visiting Manipur for the first time after the Congress won both the Lok Sabha seats in the state.
"His third visit to Manipur post-violence shows his unwavering commitment to the people's cause," the Congress said in a post on X.
Gandhi first visited Manipur weeks after ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3 last year.
He also began his 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' from the state in January 2024.
Stating that he was expecting some improvement in the situation but was quite disappointed to see it nowhere near what it should be, he said he came to the state to listen to the people, build confidence in them and try and put pressure on the government so it acts.
“The need of the hour is peace. Violence is hurting everybody. Thousands of families were harmed, properties destroyed and family members killed. I have never seen anywhere in India what is going on here. The state is completely split in two,” Gandhi said.
“I want to tell all the people of Manipur that I came here as your brother, as somebody who wants to help you, work with you to bring back peace. I am ready to do whatever I can. The Congress is ready to do whatever it can to bring back peace,” Gandhi said.
He said during his meeting with Governor Anusuiya Uikey, he expressed displeasure, stating that the Congress was not happy with the “progress that has taken place here”.
“I don’t want to go further into politicizing this issue. It’s not my intention. I understand that entire Manipur is in pain, suffering and it needs to get out of it as soon as possible,” he said.
“I would request everybody to think about peace and brotherhood. Violence and hatred are not going to get any solution. The Indian government and everybody, who considers himself a patriot, must reach out and embrace the people of Manipur and bring peace to Manipur,” he added.
The ethnic violence in Manipur has killed at least 219 people and left over 60,000 others displaced.
