Rahul Gandhi to take chopper to violence-hit Churachandpur after convoy stopped by Police in Manipur

Imphal: Rahul Gandhi who landed in Imphal earlier on Thursday was forced to make his way back to the State capital a short while later after local police prevented his carcade from proceeding to Churachandpur, where the Congress leader was headed to meet with victims of ethnic violence.

"Seeing the ground situation, we stopped him (Rahul Gandhi) from moving forward and advised him to travel to Churachandpur via helicopter. There is the 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," Bishnupur Superintendent of Police (SP) Heisnam Balram Singh said

Gandhi is now returning to Imphal airport, from there he will go to his pre-fixed program by helicopter, a Congress party source said.

The Congress leader's convoy was stopped at a checkpost near Bishnupur, which is about 20 kilometres from Imphal.

Police, party workers and locals staged a protest and later, police used tear gas to disperse the crowd.

K Meghachandra, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee President has accused the Manipur government of "politicising" Rahul Gandhi's visit to the state.

The All India Congress Committee (AICC) Incharge North East, Ajoy Kumar said that the police had given permission to Rahul Gandhi to travel by road too.

The government action is "totally unacceptable and shatters all constitutional and democratic norms," Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said.

Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge took to Twitter to say, "Gandhi's convoy in Manipur has been stopped by the police near Bishnupur. He is going there to meet the people suffering in relief camps and to provide a healing touch in the strife-torn state. PM Modi has not bothered to break his silence on Manipur. He has left the state to fend for itself."

"Now, his double-engine disastrous governments are using autocratic methods to stall a compassionate outreach by Rahul Gandhi. This is totally unacceptable and shatters all constitutional and democratic norms. Manipur needs peace, not confrontation," Kharge said.

Gandhi who had landed in Imphal earlier today for a two-day visit was on his way to Churachandpur where he planned to meet people, displaced by the recent clashes, at the relief camps. (ANI)

• #Rahul Gandhi
• #Manipur
• #Churachandpur
• #Violence hit
• #Imphal airport
• #Pre Fixed Program