Rahul Gandhi urges PM Modi to visit Manipur, says he will add pressure on govt to act

After visiting relief camps in violence-hit Manipur, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Monday urged Prime Minister to visit the state and said that will add pressure on the current government to act on the situation in the northeastern state.

"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," said the LoP.

While explaining further on the situation in Manipur, Rahul Gandhi said "Violence is hurting everybody. 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..."

"Indian Govt and everybody who considers himself patriot must reach out and embrace the people of Manipur and bring peace to Manipur," said the Congress leader.

Before briefing the media, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met people in relief camps in Churachandpur in Manipur and offered them support.

Violence erupted in Manipur on May 3 last year following clashes during a rally organised by the All Tribals Students Union (ATSU) to protest against the demand for the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe category.

PM Modi, during his speech in the Rajya Sabha last week, said that the central government is making efforts to normalise the situation in Manipur.

"The government is continuously making efforts to normalise the situation in Manipur. More than 11,000 FIRs have been registered and over 500 people have been arrested. Incidents of violence are continuously reducing in Manipur," PM Modi said.

He said central and state governments are talking to all stakeholders to restore peace.

"Today, schools, colleges, offices and other institutions are open in the state. The central and state governments are talking to all stakeholders to restore peace," the Prime Minister said.

(with agency inputs)