New Delhi
Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, met with a group of Manipuri citizens living in Delhi on Thursday. The group, which included members from all major ethnic communities in Manipur, shared their experiences of the ongoing violence in their state. Gandhi urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Manipur to address the crisis.
The meeting occurred after Gandhi attended the Red Fort Independence Day celebration. The Manipuri citizens expressed their struggles since the conflict began, highlighting their separation from loved ones and the physical and mental toll on their communities. They requested that their faces not be shown due to safety concerns.
Gandhi emphasized that true freedom remains out of reach for Manipur and called for reflection on the state's plight as India celebrates Independence Day. He reiterated his call for the Prime Minister to visit Manipur and to push both Central and State governments to work towards a peaceful resolution.
The group discussed issues of safety, mental health, and challenges to relief efforts. Violence in Manipur started in May 2023 after clashes at a rally organized by the All Tribals Students Union, which protested the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe category. The state continues to experience intermittent violence and remains under heavy security.