Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and his carcade were stopped on the road by police in Bishnupur while on a two-day visit to Manipur. Now, he is going back to the airport in Imphal from Bishnupur, from where he will go to the pre-fixed program by helicopter.

#WATCH | Manipur: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's carcade was stopped by the police in Bishnupur; party workers and locals staged a protest against it.

Rahul Gandhi is going back to the airport in Imphal from Bishnupur, from there he will go to the pre-fixed program by… pic.twitter.com/P7HdywLLDr— ANI (@ANI) June 29, 2023

Soon after the news broke, locals in the area clashed with the police. Bishnupur SP Heisnam Balram Singh, however, clarified that Gandhi was stopped due to the threat of a grenade attack and was advised to travel to Churachandpur via helicopter.

"Seeing the ground situation, we stopped him (Rahul Gandhi) from moving forward and advised him to travel to Churachandpur via helicopter. There is a possibility of a grenade attack along the highway through which VIP Rahul Gandhi is moving. Keeping his security and safety in mind, we've not allowed him," Singh said.

ALSO READ | Manipur govt to invoke 'No work, no pay' rule for employees not attending office

The Congress party, on the other hand, has taken offence claiming the BJP-led Manipur state government and Chief Minister N. Biren Singh had instructed the local Bishnupur police to stop Gandhi.

"This is totally unacceptable and shatters all Constitutional and Democratic norms," Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge tweeted.

#WATCH | Party workers and locals staged a protest after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's carcade was stopped by the police in Bishnupur, Manipur. pic.twitter.com/X3UCVDF0Vl

— ANI (@ANI) June 29, 2023

The BJP has retaliated saying that sensitivity is far more important than stubbornness and that the current situation in Manipur is due to various legacy issues for which the Congress is responsible.

The Congress leader on Thursday left for a two-day visit to Manipur from New Delhi from June 29-30 during which he will visit relief camps and interact with civil society representatives in Imphal and Churachandpur.

This will be Gandhi's first visit to the northeastern state since violence broke out on May 3.

#WATCH | Congress leader Rahul Gandhi leaves for Manipur from his residence in Delhi

Rahul will be in Manipur on June 29 and 30 during which he will visit relief camps and interact with civil society representatives in Imphal and Churachandpur. pic.twitter.com/DuZLWQSR2L— ANI (@ANI) June 29, 2023

Around 50,000 people are now staying in over 300 relief camps across the state since ethnic strife started in May. More than 100 people have lost their lives in the ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities in the northeastern state so far.

Clashes first broke out on May 3 after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

ALSO READ | 'Help us to help Manipur': Army says women activists blocking routes, interfering in operations

Meiteis account for about 53 percent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals — Nagas and Kukis — constitute another 40 percent of the population and reside in the hill districts.

With agency inputs.

First Published:Jun 29, 2023 10:47 AM IST