Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today reached Churachandpur, one of the worst-hit districts in the Manipur ethnic violence, by chopper after his convoy was stopped by the police.
Police said that Rahul Gandhi's convoy was stopped at Bishnupur, 20 kilometres from Imphal, over security concerns. The Congress leader then headed back to Imphal and took a helicopter instead of travelling to Churachandpur by road.
Officials claimed the move was taken as there was a big group of women protesters on the route that Rahul Gandhi was travelling on. "We fear repetition of such events and hence as a precaution, requested the convoy to halt at Bishnupur," a police officer said.
However, Congress sources said the women were protesting against the cops for stopping Mr Gandhi and didn't want him to turn back. They said the women wanted him to visit Churachandpur as well as their village.
"He visited Manipur to know what the people of the state are going through. He didn't come here to do politics. Why are they blocking his road," said one of the protesting women.
"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 said in a tweet.
Mr Gandhi landed in Imphal earlier today and will now head to Churachandpur where he plans to visit relief camps and meet people displaced by the ethnic strife.
Around 50,000 people are now staying in over 300 relief camps across the state since ethnic strife started in May this year.
Clashes broke out in Manipur after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
The violence in Manipur was preceded by tension over the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land, which had led to a series of smaller agitations.
Over 100 people have died in clashes between the Meiteis, who live in and around the state capital Imphal Valley, and the Kuki tribe, who are settled in the hills.
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