Rahul Gandhi engages with both Kuki, Meitei representatives as Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra enters Nagaland

Neeraj Mohan

Senapati (Manipur), January 15

In the midst of tension and unrest in Manipur, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today pledged to restore peace and harmony in the violence-hit state.

Addressing gatherings on the second day of his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, he expressed a deep commitment to restoring tranquility in the region. Speaking in Senapati district en route to Nagaland, he assured the crowds, “I understand what it means to lose family members and property in violence. We stand with you.”

He said the idea behind the yatra was to bring the people of India together. “We want to make the people of the country understand the difficulties and struggles Manipur is going through,” he said.

On the second day, the yatra covered a distance from Sekmai to Karong and entered Nagaland. Rahul engaged with people from diverse communities, including representatives from both Meitei and Kuki communities, which are against each other for the past eight months leading to death of around 180 persons.

In an interaction with mediapersons, Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and Kanhaiya Kumar criticised PM Narendra Modi for maintaining silence on the Manipur violence.

Ramesh said youths and members of civil society and community organisations raised questions about PM Modi not visiting Manipur for the past eight months. He said the organisations told Rahul that what they needed was a “sensitive and strong” government. “Students are not going to schools and truck drivers are sitting idle, but it doesn’t concern the government,” he said, adding the Prime Minister did not have a meeting with Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, but preferred to greet him on his birthday on social media. Kanhaiya said the PM had an aircraft, luxury cars and SPG cover but could not come to Manipur to see how people were suffering.