Manipur Visit: Rahul Gandhi Takes Chopper Ride As Women Protesters Surround Car

Imphal: Rahul Gandhi had to change plans and take a helicopter ride to reach Churachandpur, one of the worst-hit districts in ethnic violence-ravaged Manipur, after police stopped his convoy.

The Congress leader’s convoy was stopped at Bishnupur, 20 kilometres from Imphal, over security concerns. Rahul then headed back to Imphal and availed of a chopper instead of travelling by road to Churachandpur.

According to officials, there was a huge mob of women protesters on the route that Rahul was supposed to travel by.

“We fear repetition of such events and hence as a precaution, requested the convoy to halt at Bishnupur,” NDTV quoted a police officer as saying.

Congress leaders, however, said the women were protesting against police personnel for stopping Rahul and didn’t want him to turn back. They apparently wanted him to visit Churachandpur as well as their village.

Rahul blamed the Manipur government for stopping him.

“I came to listen to all my brothers and sisters of Manipur. People of all communities are being very welcoming and loving. It’s very unfortunate that the government is stopping me. Manipur needs healing. Peace has to be our only priority,” the Congress leader tweeted along with a video.

Rahul plans to visit relief camps and meet people displaced by the ethnic strife.

Around 50,000 people are currently staying in over 300 relief camps across the state since ethnic violence broke out in the north-eastern state in May.