Imphal: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi received a warm welcome during his one-day whirlwind tour of violence-hit Manipur. His visit comes amid ongoing ethnic violence between two communities, which has been raging for 14 months.
Gandhi visited several relief camps housing hundreds of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in various districts to assess the prevailing situation.
Upon his arrival at Imphal Airport around 1:30 PM via a chartered flight from New Delhi through Silchar Airport in Assam, he was greeted enthusiastically by Congress workers led by sitting Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam. The airport echoed with slogans such as “We Want Peace,” “Long live Manipur,” and “Long live Rahul Gandhi.”
After his reception, Gandhi and his entourage proceeded to Churachandpur district headquarters, considered the epicenter of the ongoing ethnic violence. Throughout his visit on Monday, he attentively listened to the grievances of the IDPs.
Following his assessment in Churachandpur, Gandhi planned to visit relief camps at Phubala Higher Secondary School in Moirang, located in the Bishnupur district of Manipur.
Around 6 PM, Gandhi is scheduled to meet with Governor Anusuiya Uikey at the Raj Bhavan to discuss Manipur’s current situation.
He will brief the media at 6:30 PM before departing Imphal Airport on the same chartered flight for Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh, at around 7 PM.
Earlier in the day, upon arriving at Jiribam district headquarters, Gandhi met with IDPs and flood victims at Jiribam Higher Secondary School.
On his return to Silchar Airport from Jiribam, he also heard the grievances of IDPs from Manipur who have taken refuge in Gularthol village in Assam’s Cachar district.