JE News Desk: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday reached violence-hit Manipur by chopper after his convoy was stopped by the police.
Soon after reaching there, Gandhi took to Twitter and wrote, "I came to listen to all my brothers and sisters of Manipur. People of all communities are being very welcoming and loving. It’s very unfortunate that the government is stopping me. Manipur needs healing. Peace has to be our only priority."
Earlier in the day, he was stopped by the state police while he was going to Churachandpur, a town that has seen some of the most intense clashes. Gandhi then returned to the capital of Manipur, Imphal from where he will take a chopper to reach his destination.
Rahul Gandhi arrived in the state earlier today for a two-day visit. He is scheduled to visit relief camps and interact with members of the civil society to discuss the situation in Manipur.
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The state has been gripped by violence for close to two months now. More than 100 people have lost their lives and larger number of houses have been gutted by armed groups belong to the Metei and Kuki communities. This violence has also caused the a largescale exodus of people from the state. Over 50,000 people have had to leave their homes.
Reacting to this development Congress' Secretary General of Organisation KC Venugopal said that they cannot understand why Rahul Gandhi's convoy has been stopped.
"Rahul Gandhi's convoy has been stopped by police near Bishnupur. Police say that they are not in a position to allow us. People are standing on both sides of the road to wave to Rahul Gandhi. We are not able to understand why have they stopped us?," Venugopal was quoted saying by news agency ANI.
Rahul Gandhi, a former Congress chief, is currently waiting inside his car as the police are not allowing him or anyone in his convoy to proceed to Churachandpur.
"I do not know why the Police are not allowing us. Rahul Gandhi's visit is to meet the affected people only. We travelled around 20-25 km but there was no road blockage anywhere. Rahul Gandhi is sitting inside the car. I do not know who has instructed the local police," Venugopal said.
(With agency inputs)