Shillong, June 29: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi embarked on a crucial visit to Manipur on Thursday, aiming to address the escalating crisis in the conflict-hit state. The visit, scheduled for June 29 and 30, seeks to extend support to the communities affected by the spiraling violence.
KC Venugopal, the General Secretary of the Congress, confirmed that during his stay, Rahul Gandhi will engage with civil society representatives and visit relief camps in Imphal and Churachandpur.
This visit marks Rahul Gandhi’s first trip to the northeastern state since the outbreak of violence on May 3.
“Manipur has been engulfed in flames for nearly two months and desperately needs a healing touch to transition from conflict to peace. This is a humanitarian tragedy, and it is our responsibility to promote love, not hate,” added KC Venugopal.
During his tour, Rahul Gandhi will visit various relief camps where displaced individuals have sought refuge from the ravages of violence.
Since ethnic strife erupted in May this year, around 50,000 people have taken shelter in over 300 relief camps across the state.
The ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities has claimed the lives of more than 100 people in Manipur so far.
The clashes initially broke out on May 3 following a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ organized in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
Meiteis, who make up around 53 percent of Manipur’s population and primarily reside in the Imphal Valley, and the Nagas and Kukis, who constitute approximately 40 percent of the population and live in the hill districts, represent the major ethnic groups in the state.