After state govt shoots down Imphal venue, Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra to begin from private ground in Manipur’s Thoubal: Congress

PTI

Imphal, January 12

The Congress on Friday said the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra would be flagged off from a private ground in Manipur's Thoubal district on January 14, instead of from the state capital Imphal.

Congress's Manipur president Keisham Meghachandra said permission was sought to begin the Yatra from the Hapta Kangjeibung ground in Imphal but the state government gave the go-ahead with certain conditions, forcing them to move the venue around 34 km at the last moment.

"We had proposed to the state government on January 2 that Hapta Kangjeibung public ground in Imphal be allowed for flagging off the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. We had also announced that the Yatra would start from Imphal, and culminate in Mumbai," he said.

"We met Chief Minister N Biren Singh on January 10 but were told that the permission would not be given. Later that night, an order was issued which gave permission for Hapta Kangjeibung ground but with a limited number of participants," he added.

Meghachandra said a team of the state Congress again met Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi in the presence of DGP Rajiv Singh, and the deputy commissioner and SP of Imphal East.

"We were told that not more than 1,000 people would be allowed at the venue. As the permission was not given, we were in an alarming situation. Late on Thursday night, the Thoubal DC gave permission for flagging off the Yatra from a private land in Khongjom area of the district," he said.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge would flag off the Yatra from there, he said.

Another state Congress leader said there would be no change in the route even though the venue had to be changed.

After beginning in Manipur on January 14, the Yatra will culminate in Mumbai on March 20. It is scheduled to cover 6,713 km in 67 days while passing through 110 districts in 15 states. 

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