With just three days to go for the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra to be flagged off, the Manipur Government has refused Congress’ request to use Hapta Kangjeibung palace ground in Imphal as the venue for the inaugural ceremony. The Rahul Gandhi led yatra is scheduled to begin on 14 January 2024 in Manipur.

The news was delivered by Chief Minister N Biren Singh when a delegation from MPCC led by its President, Keisham Meghachandra, called on him earlier on Wednesday at his residence. The Party had submitted the request nine days ago.

After the meeting, Meghachandra told the media that the rejection for use of the public ground was “very unfortunate” and called it “murder of democracy”, “violation of people’s rights” and “violation of political rights” while maintaining that the Yatra is non-political movement.

The MPCC President also informed that the Party will now use private land as the venue for the flag off program. He said that there were two, three proposed lands and asserted that Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra will take place as scheduled in Manipur where a “grand and big” flag off program will be organised.

On Tuesday, CM Biren Singh had said that the decision would be taken after reviewing the security reports on the law and order situation in the State.

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During his visit to Imphal on 8th January, K C Venugopal, AICC General Secretary (Organisation) had visited Hapta Kangjeibung, the historic polo ground. He also held a press conference there where he iterated that Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is a non-political yatra but a movement to get justice for farmers, poor, youths, and downtrodden people. The Congress leader had asserted that the yatra will begin in Manipur and said that the wounds of the people of the strife-torn State must be healed.