Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, plans to visit displaced residents from Manipur residing in Assam’s Cachar district before traveling to the troubled northeastern state on Monday.
Assam Congress president Bhupen Kumar Borah informed the media on Sunday that Rahul Gandhi will fly from New Delhi to Kumbirgram Airport in Silchar, Assam, in a special aircraft. From there, he will first meet the displaced people staying in Assam.
“He is scheduled to arrive at Silchar airport at 9 am on Monday and will then proceed by road to Manipur’s Jiribam. Before that, he will meet the displaced residents staying in Assam. After visiting Jiribam, Gandhi will return to Silchar airport and fly to Imphal,” Borah stated.
More than 1,700 residents from Manipur’s Jiribam sought refuge in the Lakhipur area of Cachar district following renewed violence in their homeland last month. Many of them crossed the Barak River, the state border, mostly at night.
Upon their arrival, Assam police bolstered security, and senior officers issued stern warnings against any violations of law by the displaced residents.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma instructed the local administration on June 17 to support the displaced people on humanitarian grounds while ensuring law and order is maintained.
Assam’s Inspector General of Police (Law and Order), Prasanta Kumar Bhuiyan, reminded the displaced people on June 23 that they were in Assam, not Manipur, urging them to refrain from breaking the law.
Borah highlighted that Rahul Gandhi aims to engage with the displaced residents and gain a deeper understanding of the situation. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have been neglecting Manipur, failing to address the conflicts there. Rahul Gandhi’s visit is crucial as he seeks to promote peace in Manipur,” Borah emphasized.
He added that Gandhi will spend one day in Imphal and return to Delhi on July 9. This marks Rahul Gandhi’s third visit to Manipur since ethnic violence erupted in May last year.