Rahul Gandhi to Visit Manipur Amid Ongoing Ethnic Strife

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, is likely to visit Manipur on July 8. The state has been witnessing ethnic strife since May 2023. During his visit, Rahul Gandhi will visit relief camps and meet Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee leaders.

The violence in Manipur began on May 3 last year during a rally organized by the All Tribals Students Union to protest against the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe category. The Opposition has been criticizing the central government over the ongoing violence.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently stated that the government is making efforts to normalize the situation in Manipur. He mentioned that over 11,000 FIRs have been registered and more than 500 people have been arrested. PM Modi also noted that incidents of violence are decreasing and that schools, colleges, and offices are open.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah conducted a high-level meeting in June to review the security situation in Manipur. He emphasized the strategic deployment of central forces to restore peace and ensure no further incidents of violence occur.

In the recent Lok Sabha polls, the Congress party won both seats in Manipur, with Angomcha Bimol Akoijam and Alfred K Arthur taking oath as MPs.