Manipur: Rahul stuck for hours at Bishnupur after police stop convoy fearing attack
Congress accuses BJP governments in Centre, state of resorting to autocracy
Imphal (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's convoy remained stuck at Bishnupur for hours after his convoy was stopped by the Manipur police, amid allegations by the party that the BJP-led government is trying to thwart the leader's visit to the ethnic strife-torn state.
The BJP, on the other hand, claimed that Gandhi was asked to take a chopper as his trip was opposed by various quarters but he was "stubborn" to travel by road route.
Gandhi's convoy which was travelling to Churachandpur to visit relief camps in the area, was stopped by the police at Bishnupur, about 20 kilometres from the state capital. He had earlier in the day landed at Imphal from Delhi.
Police officials said the convoy was stopped fearing violence along the route. "There is a security threat. We cannot take the risk of allowing Rahul Gandhi to proceed," a senior police official said.
The Congress, however, alleged that the BJP governments at the Centre and the state are using "autocratic methods" to stall the visit of Gandhi.
The "double-engine disastrous governments are using autocratic methods to stall a compassionate outreach by Shri Rahul Gandhi. This is totally unacceptable and shatters all constitutional and democratic norms," Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge tweeted.
"He is going there to meet the people suffering in relief camps and to provide a healing touch in the strife-torn state," he said.
The party's state president Keisham Meghachandra alleged that the order to stop Gandhi's convoy came from Chief Minister N Biren Singh as "everyone was welcoming him".
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said Gandhi's two-day visit to Manipur is in the spirit of the Bharat Jodo Yatra.
Ramesh said in a tweet: "The Prime Minister may choose to remain silent or be inactive but why stop Rahul Gandhi's efforts to listen to all sections of the Manipuri society and provide a healing touch?"
The BJP, however, wondered why Gandhi did not take a chopper to visit Churachandpur.
"Rahul Gandhi's Manipur visit was vehemently opposed by many Civil Society Organisations & Student Unions in Manipur. Keeping this in mind the administration requested Rahul Gandhi to take helicopter to Churachandpur.
"Looking into the sensitive situation to "Understand" is more important than being "Stubborn" for petty political gains," BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said.
Police sources said tyres were burnt on the highway near Utlou village in Bishnupur district and a few stones were thrown at the convoy.
"We fear a repetition of such events and hence as a precaution, requested the convoy to halt at Bishnupur," a police officer told PTI.
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. More than 100 people have lost their lives in the ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities in the northeastern state so far.
Shri @RahulGandhi’s convoy in Manipur has been stopped by the police near Bishnupur.
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) June 29, 2023
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…
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Cong alleges its Rithala candidate 'assaulted' by EC official
New Delhi, Jan 26 (PTI): The Congress alleged Saturday its Rithala candidate Sushant Mishra was assaulted by a poll official, and demanded a thorough probe into the incident and action against him.
Party general secretary Jairam Ramesh claimed Sushant Mishra was assaulted by an Election Commission of India official on Saturday.
He alleged the official also attempted to prevent Mishra from undertaking a Padayatra for which the Delhi Police had already given permission.
In a post on X, Ramesh said, "@sushant_m has been actively taking up violations of the Model Code of Conduct by other candidates in the ongoing Delhi Vidhan Sabha elections. This unprecedented and illegal act of partisanship by an official of a Constitutional body like the ECI can only be seen as a desperate attempt by the AAP and BJP to stem the surge of support for his candidacy and that of the Congress Party in the Delhi Vidhan Sabha elections"
Ramesh said the Congress remains undaunted and will continue to raise the voice of people and protect the sanctity of elections.
"To preserve the integrity of the electoral process, the Indian National Congress demands a full inquiry into the incident and immediate corrective action against the concerned official," the Congress leader demanded.
Mishra has also separately written to the returning office and Chief Electoral officer and the Election Commission about the incident, demanding action against the accused.
.@INCIndia के रिठाला विधानसभा के उम्मीदवार सुशांत मिश्रा (@sushant_m) पर कल @ECISVEEP के एक अधिकारी ने हमला करके उन्हें घायल कर दिया। अधिकारी ने उन्हें पदयात्रा करने से रोकने का भी प्रयास किया, जिसके लिए दिल्ली पुलिस ने पहले ही अनुमति दे दी थी।
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) January 26, 2025
सुशांत मिश्रा दिल्ली विधानसभा… pic.twitter.com/sQ7I6EIvvY
