In Bishnupur police stop convoy of Rahul Gandhi fearing attack

Imphal: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s convoy is stuck in Bishnupur after his convoy was intercepted by the Manipur police on Thursday, amid allegations by the party that the BJP-led government in the ethnic conflict-hit state is targeting the leader. is trying to thwart the visit. .
Gandhi’s convoy, which was on its way to Churachandpur to visit relief camps in the area, was intercepted by the police at Bishnupur, about 20 km from the state capital. He had reached Imphal from Delhi earlier in the day.
Police officials said that the convoy was stopped due to fear of violence on the way.

“There is a security risk. We cannot take the risk of allowing Rahul Gandhi to go ahead,” said a senior police official.
The Congress, however, alleged that the BJP governments at the Center and the state were using “authoritarian methods” to block Gandhi’s visit.

“The destructive twin-engine governments are using dictatorial methods to prevent Shri Rahul Gandhi’s compassionate outreach. This is totally unacceptable and violates all constitutional and democratic principles,” Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge tweeted.
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”.
Tires were burnt on the highway near Utlou village in Bishnupur district and a few stones were thrown at the convoy, police sources said.

“We fear a repeat of such incidents and have therefore requested the convoy to halt at Bishnopur as a precaution,” a police officer told PTI.
More than 100 people have lost their lives so far in ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities in the northeastern state.
Clashes first erupted on May 3 when a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organized by the Meitei community in the hill districts to protest against their demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

The Meiteis constitute about 53% of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. The tribals – Nagas and Kukis – constitute another 40 percent of the population and live in the hilly districts.