In a passionate appeal, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, called upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Manipur, a state embroiled in ethnic violence since last year. Gandhi emphasized the importance of the Prime Minister's presence in the region to address the ongoing crisis and offer solace to its people.
?I feel that it is important that the Prime Minister come here, listen to the people of Manipur, try & understand what is going on in Manipur. After all, Manipur is a proud state of the Indian Union?even if there was no tragedy, the Prime Minister should have come to Manipur,? Gandhi stated during a press conference in Imphal.
The Congress leader's visit to Manipur marks his third since the conflict began, as he continues to advocate for peace and government intervention. ?In this huge tragedy, I request the Prime Minister to take 1-2 days of his time and just come and listen to the people of Manipur. It will comfort the people of Manipur. We are, as the Congress party, ready to support anything that would improve the situation here,? Gandhi was quoted by ANI.
Gandhi's visit included interactions with victims at relief camps, where he listened to their stories and shared their pain. ?I visited the camps and heard the people there, heard their pain. I came here to listen to them, to build confidence in them and as somebody who is in the opposition, to try and apply pressure on the govt so that it acts. Here, the need of the hour is peace. Violence is hurting everybody,? he added.
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Reflecting on the severity of the situation, Gandhi expressed his disappointment at the lack of progress. "It's the third time I have come here since the problem started and it has been a tremendous tragedy. I was expecting some improvement in the situation but I was disappointed to see that the situation is still nowhere near what it should be."
The violence in Manipur, which erupted on May 3 last year during a rally organized by the All Tribals Students Union (ATSU) against the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe category, has left the state deeply divided. ?Thousands of families have been harmed, properties have been destroyed, family members have been killed and I have never seen anywhere in India what is going on here. The State is completely split in two and it is a tragedy for everybody involved. I want to tell all the people of Manipur, I come here as your brother, I come here as somebody who wants to help you, who wants to work with you to bring back peace in Manipur,? Gandhi conveyed.
