Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday urged the people of Manipur to strive for peace as violence is not the solution.
After meeting Governor Anusuiya Uikey at the Raj Bhawan in the State’s capital Imphal, he told journalists that he visited Manipur to share the pain of the people and do whatever it takes to bring peace.
“A horrible tragedy has taken place. It is extremely sad and painful for the people of Manipur and India,” he said.
“Violence will not get anything for anybody. Peace is the way forward and the most important thing,” Mr. Gandhi said, asking everyone to now start building bridges.
He declined to comment on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on the crisis in Manipur. “I have not come here to make any political statement,” he said
The Congress leader said he visited the relief camps and met people from all communities in Churachandpur, a hill district, and Imphal Valley.
“The basic amenities in the camps and food need to be improved. Medicines need to be supplied,” he said before leaving for New Delhi after a two-day visit.
Mr. Gandhi arrived in Manipur around 11 a.m. on Thursday and tried to drive to the Kuki-majority Churachandpur district in a convoy of vehicles. But the police stopped him at Bishnupur midway, citing the prevailing tense situation.
He returned to Imphal and took a chopper to Churachandpur, where he visited two relief camps and interacted with the leaders of the civil society organisations.
He also interacted with the Meitei people in relief camps in Imphal and Moirang.
Mr. Gandhi was accompanied by former Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, party general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal, State Congress president Keisham Meghachandra Singh and former MP Ajay Kumar.
He visited the INA War Memorial and placed a floral tribute to the freedom fighters who raised the Indian flag here in 1944.
