Imphal Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit ethnic violence-affected Manipur to provide solace to the people.
Describing what happened in Manipur as a "tremendous tragedy", Gandhi also said that the Congress is ready to do everything possible to bring peace to the state.
Ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities since May last year claimed more than 200 lives in Manipur since May last year.
"The Prime Minister should have visited the state a long time ago. It is important that he visits Manipur. I request him to come to Manipur and try to understand what is happening here. The people of Manipur, probably people from all over the country, want the Prime Minister visit the state. Visiting the state and listening to the problems of the victims will console the people. Congress is ready to support anything that can improve the situation," MP Raebareli said at a press conference here.
During his one-day visit to Manipur, Gandhi visited several relief camps where people displaced by ethnic violence in the northeastern state are staying.
“This is the third time I have come here since the problem started. It has been a tremendous tragedy. I was hoping for 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.
Gandhi visited Manipur weeks after ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3 last year. He also started his 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' from the state in January 2024.
This is his first visit to Manipur after becoming leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha and after the Congress won both Lok Sabha seats in the state.
Gandhi said he came to the state to listen to the problems of the violence-affected people and build confidence in them and as opposition leader would pressure the government to act.
"I want to tell all the people of Manipur (that) I came here as your brother, as someone who wants to help you, wants to work with you to restore peace in Manipur. I am ready to do whatever I can, Congress. Our party is ready to do everything possible to restore peace here," he said.
Gandhi stated that he had never seen anywhere in India what was happening in Manipur and stated that violence and hatred will have no solution, while respect and interaction will.
“The state is completely divided in two and it is a tragedy for everyone involved. The entire state is suffering. "If we start thinking about peace and affection, it will be a very big step for Manipur," the Congress leader said.
The leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha said that whenever the people of Manipur want it, he and his party will be available.
"The Indian government and everyone who considers themselves patriotic must embrace the people of Manipur," said the Congress leader, who also met Governor Anusuiya Uikey before holding the press conference.
"We expressed to the governor that we would like to help in any way we can. We also expressed our discontent. We are not happy with the progress that has been made here. I do not want to politicize the issue, that is not my intention," Gandhi said at the rally. of press.
The Congress leader did not accept questions from the media and said that he had made his message clear.
"I am not willing to accept questions designed to deflect the issue," he said.
Describing what happened in Manipur as a "tremendous tragedy", Gandhi also said that the Congress is ready to do everything possible to bring peace to the state.
Ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities since May last year claimed more than 200 lives in Manipur since May last year.
"The Prime Minister should have visited the state a long time ago. It is important that he visits Manipur. I request him to come to Manipur and try to understand what is happening here. The people of Manipur, probably people from all over the country, want the Prime Minister visit the state. Visiting the state and listening to the problems of the victims will console the people. Congress is ready to support anything that can improve the situation," MP Raebareli said at a press conference here.
During his one-day visit to Manipur, Gandhi visited several relief camps where people displaced by ethnic violence in the northeastern state are staying.
“This is the third time I have come here since the problem started. It has been a tremendous tragedy. I was hoping for 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.
Gandhi visited Manipur weeks after ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3 last year. He also started his 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' from the state in January 2024.
This is his first visit to Manipur after becoming leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha and after the Congress won both Lok Sabha seats in the state.
Gandhi said he came to the state to listen to the problems of the violence-affected people and build confidence in them and as opposition leader would pressure the government to act.
"I want to tell all the people of Manipur (that) I came here as your brother, as someone who wants to help you, wants to work with you to restore peace in Manipur. I am ready to do whatever I can, Congress. Our party is ready to do everything possible to restore peace here," he said.
Gandhi stated that he had never seen anywhere in India what was happening in Manipur and stated that violence and hatred will have no solution, while respect and interaction will.
“The state is completely divided in two and it is a tragedy for everyone involved. The entire state is suffering. "If we start thinking about peace and affection, it will be a very big step for Manipur," the Congress leader said.
The leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha said that whenever the people of Manipur want it, he and his party will be available.
"The Indian government and everyone who considers themselves patriotic must embrace the people of Manipur," said the Congress leader, who also met Governor Anusuiya Uikey before holding the press conference.
"We expressed to the governor that we would like to help in any way we can. We also expressed our discontent. We are not happy with the progress that has been made here. I do not want to politicize the issue, that is not my intention," Gandhi said at the rally. of press.
The Congress leader did not accept questions from the media and said that he had made his message clear.
"I am not willing to accept questions designed to deflect the issue," he said.
