India's Rahul Gandhi says ethnic violence-hit Manipur needs 'healing'

Police halt convoy over fears opposition leader's visit will lead to more violence after more than 130 people killed in clashes

Media and supporters with Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, after police stopped him from reaching Churachandpur, in Manipur state, north-east India, over fears of violence. Reuters

Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said that the violence-hit north-eastern state of Manipur needs “healing”.

This came as protesters clashed with police after the government briefly blocking Mr Gandhi's visit to the region – considered to be the epicentre of the months-long ethnic strife.

Manipur is witnessing widespread ethnic violence between two major communities – the majority Hindu Meitei community and the Christian Kuki tribal group – over a proposed government policy that would benefit the dominant Hindu community.

More than 130 people have been killed and tens of thousands forced to flee their homes in the region, where rival groups have launched targeted attacks on each other’s neighbourhoods and burnt down religious buildings.

Mr Gandhi, a former parliamentarian, and the first leading opposition member to visit the state was stopped by authorities over security concerns before he took a helicopter and visited a relief camp in Churachandpur – the epicentre of the ethnic violence between the two communities, where he interacted with affected people and members of civil society.

“I came to listen to all my brothers and sisters of Manipur … Manipur needs healing. Peace has to be our only priority,” Mr Gandhi said on Twitter.

The state is ruled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party which has faced criticism for failing to curb the violence.

Officers stopped Mr Gandhi at Bishnupur over fears that “grenades could be thrown at him”, forcing him to take a helicopter instead.

Several women staged protests against police for blocking Mr Gandhi’s convoy. Police fired tear gas to disperse protesters.

“Why is the government blocking his visit, let him go,” a local woman said.

“When he wants to visit and what is the situation, why is the government blocking?”

India's Congress party called the government action a “dictatorship”.

“This is a type of dictatorship … what is the fate of our democracy? We are not coming here to politicise. We are coming here just to meet the people who are suffering, just to console them,” Okram Ibobi Singh, former Manipur chief minister and Congress leader said.

The BJP, however, attacked Mr Gandhi saying his behaviour to visit Churachandpur was “irresponsible”.

“He should have been aware of the ground realities before going there. Sensitivity is far more important than stubbornness … The local administration requested him citing protests surrounding his visit,” Sambit Patra, BJP spokesperson said.

While Mr Shah informed party leaders about actions taken by the state and his government in Manipur, the opposition parties slammed the government for its inability to control the violence.

They have criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his silence on the unrest.

Manipur borders Myanmar and Bangladesh and is strewn with hills and valleys.

About 34 ethnic tribes, roughly 40 per cent of the population, have traditionally inhabited the hilly areas that comprise 90 per cent of the territory.

The Meiteis, who make up more than half of the population and dominate the valley areas, are confined to only 10 per cent of the land mass.

They have long demanded to be included in the tribe list so that they get exclusive land rights, job benefits and match the status of other tribal groups.

But opposing tribes – largely represented by Kukis – have expressed their opposition to such a move, claiming that the Meiteis already dominate the demographic, political and social landscape.

More than 130 people have been killed, with around 40,000 displaced in the state. Thousands of homes and religious structures, including churches and temples, have been destroyed in the weeks-long strife.

More than a dozen of Manipur's 16 districts have been affected by the violence.

Women, children and elders have been forced to flee to army camps. Young men from both communities have been volunteering to keep watch at night in their villages.

The federal government has sent thousands of security forces to deal with the situation, but violence continues to ravage the state with insurgent groups from both communities targeting people and their properties.

On Monday, the army said that it was forced to release 12 insurgents after a 1,500-strong mob led by women interrupted a counter-insurgency operation in Imphal.

Kiran Kumar Meitei, a volunteer with the Co-ordination Committee of Manipur Integrity, who is planning to meet Mr Gandhi on Friday, said his visit would put pressure on Mr Modi’s government.

“It has become a national issue and not remained just an issue of two communities, as foreign militants have become involved. It is a threat to our national security and hence, all national political party leaders should visit,” Mr Meitei told The National.

“His visit will also create pressure on the ruling party to take control of the situation, which is worsening with each passing day.

“Mr Modi has not said a word on the situation yet, which is unfortunate.”