AICC leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday urged the Prime Minister of India to visit Manipur and comfort its people, who have been suffering due to the ongoing crisis in the state.
"Manipur needs the PM to build confidence and restore normalcy," he said.
Rahul Gandhi, who was addressing the media at the Congress Bhawan in Imphal during his third visit to the state in the ongoing 14-month long unrest, expressed disappointment at the lack of progress in restoring normalcy in Manipur; it is his first visit after being elected as an MP in the Lok Sabha Election 2024.
"It is a tragedy to see that Manipur has been split into two, with many displaced, many dead, and many houses burnt to ashes," Rahul Gandhi said, adding that he had not seen such a situation anywhere else in India.
He conveyed that he had met with the Manipur Governor earlier and expressed his disappointment at the situation, assuring him of the Congress party's commitment to extend every possible support in restoring peace in the state.
He emphasised that violence and hatred would not bring any solution, but peace and brotherhood would restore normalcy in Manipur.
Rahul further reiterated that the Congress party is ready to extend every possible support to improve the situation in Manipur and restore normalcy.
"I come here not to politicise the issue but come as a brother, as a person who wants to help, who wants to work to bring back peace in Manipur," he said.
Rahul Gandhi, however, refused to answer the questions raised by the media, except on the idea of Manipur.
Here he replied, "Manipur is one of the most beautiful states of the Union of India."
The Congress leader's visit is seen as a significant development in the state's political landscape, with many hoping that his intervention as an opposition leader of the Parliament would help bring about a resolution to the ongoing crisis.
Just ahead of his visit, there was firing by unidentified gunmen in the Gularthal area of Jiribam district early Monday morning however, security forces responded quickly, bringing the situation under control.
Rahul's Manipur journey began in Jiribam, where he arrived by road from Silchar Airport and met with the inmates of a relief camp, listening to their stories and offering support.
Coming back to Silcher Airport, he flew to Imphal Airport and headed straight to Churachandpur where he met with the IDPs by road.
He showed empathy and understanding, acknowledging their struggles and assuring them of his party's support.
His next stop was Phubala in Bishnupur district, where he visited another IDP camp, interacting with the affected individuals and families.
Later, he met with Governor Anusuiya Uikey at Raj Bhawan in Imphal, discussing the state's situation and potential solutions.
Finally, Rahul addressed the media at Congress Bhawan, sharing his thoughts and concerns about the state's crisis.
At the time of filing this report, he was still engaged in meetings at Hotel Imphal and he is likely to hold the night at the hotel.
