Imphal: Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, will visit Manipur on Monday, marking his first visit since becoming the Leader of the Opposition, following the May 2023 crisis in Churachandpur district.
Rahul Gandhi had earlier visited Manipur twice.
CLP leader Okram Ibobi, MPCC president K Meghachandra, Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Gaikhangam, MPCC working president K Devabrata, MPYCC president Ningthoujam Popilal, and a team of Congress leaders will accompany Rahul Gandhi during his visit to Jiribam.
They had left by air for Jiribam one day ahead. Another team of Congress leaders, including the two new Congress MPs and MLAs, left Imphal for Jiribam by air on Monday.
Jiribam district was not affected by the conflict, and the Imphal Jiribam highway was also not affected as the area is dominated by Meitei and Naga.
However, suspected Kuki militants managed to reach the district and attack people of a particular ethnic group. Kuki militants also blocked the national highway, which was cleared by the Naga populace settled on the highway. Rahul Gandhi is expected to meet the displaced persons whose houses were burnt and destroyed by suspected Kuki militants.
Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to reach Imphal in the afternoon and go to Churachandpur district to meet displaced persons. He will further go to Moirang and meet displaced persons.
Security in Manipur has been increased amid a shockwave as a displaced youth died on Saturday in a relief center, highlighting the state’s response to the situation. His body was later found on Saturday and he was suspected to have died by suicide.
The youth identified as A Premkumar was a resident of Churachandpur district, and he had escaped when armed suspected Kuki militants attacked people belonging to a particular ethnic group in May 2023. His house, along with all the houses belonging to the particular people, were completely destroyed by suspected Kuki militants, and all the settlements were converted into open ground, his family members said.
Rahul Gandhi is also expected to enquire about the flood situation in the state as people also witnessed two deadly floods, which created havoc in June and July.
