Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, today visited Manipur for the third time since violence broke out on 3rd May 2023 between the Meitei and the Kuki-Zo communities that has since killed over 200 people and displaced over 60,000.
In his statement to media in Imphal, Gandhi conveyed that the Congress party is not happy with the progress made in the State. “I was expecting some improvement in the situation but I was quite disappointed to see that the situation is still nowhere near what it should be,” he said.
Earlier today, the LoP landed in Silchar, Assam and was briefed about the grim flood situation in the State by Congress leaders of Assam. He then visited a relief camp in Phulertal, Assam where displaced people from Manipur are taking shelter. He also visited a relief camp in Jiribam in Manipur, which is in the border of Assam and Manipur. At both the camps, Gandhi interacted with the victims and offered support.
In the afternoon, Rahul Gandhi landed at Imphal Airport from where he headed to meet people at relief camps in Tuibong at Churachandpur district and Moirang in Bishnupur districts. On his return to Imphal, Gandhi called on Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey and offered to help in any way possible.
“I came here to listen to them, to build confidence in them, as somebody who is in the Opposition, to try and apply pressure on the govt so that it acts”, Rahul Gandhi said at the press conference.
Emphasizing that the need of the hour is peace, he urged the people of Manipur to think about “Peace and Brotherhood” and stated that “violence and hatred are not going to get any solution”.
Stating that Manipur is completely split in two, he assured the people that the Congress party is ready to do whatever it can to bring back peace in the Northeastern state.
Further, the Leader of Opposition said that it is important that Prime Minister Narendra Modi “should come here, listen to the people of Manipur, try and understand what’s going on in the State.”
“…in this huge tragedy, I request the PM to take one or two days and come listen to the people of Manipur, it will comfort them”, Rahul Gandhi said.
