"Tremendous tragedy...need of hour is peace": Rahul Gandhi in Manipur

Imphal (Manipur) [India], July 8 : Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Monday called the Manipur violence a "tremendous tragedy" and said that the need of the hour is peace as violence is hurting everybody.
Addressing the press conference in Manipur's Imphal, Rahul Gandhi said that thousands of families have been harmed, properties have been destroyed in the state.
"It's the third time I have come here since the problem started and it has been a tremendous tragedy. I was expecting some improvement in the situation but I was disappointed to see that the situation is still nowhere near what it should be. I visited the camps and heard the people there, heard their pain. I came here to listen to them, to build confidence in them and as somebody who is in the opposition, to try and apply pressure on the government so that it acts. Here, the need of the hour is peace. Violence is hurting everybody. Thousands of families have been harmed, properties have been destroyed, family members have been killed and I have never seen anywhere in India what is going on here," LoP said.
He further claimed that the state is completely "split in two" and it is a "tragedy for everybody involved."
"I want to tell all the people of Manipur, I come here as your brother, I come here as somebody who wants to help you, who wants to work with you to bring back peace in Manipur. I am ready to do whatever I can, Congress party is ready to do whatever it can to bring back peace here<" he said.
Rahul Gandhi said that he met Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey and expressed "displeasure" over the progress that has taken place in the state.
"We had a conversation with the Governor and we expressed to the Governor that we would like to help in whatever way we can. We also expressed our displeasure and we said that we are not happy with the progress that has taken place here. I don't want to go further into politicizing the issue. It is not my intention. As I said I come here as a brother and as a family member and I understand that the entire Manipur is in pain, is suffering and needs to get out of this suffering as soon as possible," Rahul Gandhi added.
The Congress leader urged everyone to think about peace and brotherhood adding that "violence and hatred" are not going to get any solution.
"I request everybody to think about peace, think about brotherhood and violence and hatred are not going to get any solution. So if we can start to think about peace, affection. It will be a very very big step for Manipur. Congress party and I are available anytime you want me to come here. If you want to come here four times 10 times, I will be here. I am happy to come here and listen to what you have to say and try and help you as Leader of the Opposition," he said.
He further said that the Indian government and everybody who considers himself a "patriot" must reach out and "embrace" the people of Manipur and bring peace to Manipur."
"I feel that it is important that the Prime Minister should come here to listen to the people of Manipur try and understand what is going on in Manipur after all. Manipur is a proud state of the Indian Union and it is very important that the Prime Minister especially, even if it was not a tragedy then also the Prime Minister should have come here. In this huge tragedy, I request the Prime Minister to take one day, or two days of his time and just listen to the people of Manipur. It will comfort the people of the state. We as the Congress party ready to support anything that improves the situation," Rahul Gandhi said.
When asked questions by reporters after his press conference, Lok Sabha LoP said, "Please respect what I am saying. I have come here to give a clear message, I am not interested in answering questions that are designed to divert the issue...I have made my statement."
He further said, "Manipur is one of the most beautiful states of the Indian Union."
Earlier today, a Congress MP met the victims of violence at the relief camp at Moirang in Manipur's Bishnupur on Monday.
"LoP Rahul Gandhi visits the relief camp at Phubala High School in Moirang, where he meets victims of the Manipur violence and offers support during these challenging times," Congress posted on X.

The Congress also arrived at Raj Bhavan in Imphal to meet Governor Anusuiya Uikey earlier today.

Earlier, Rahul Gandhi reached Imphal to meet the victims of violence at the relief camps in the state.
The Congress leader arrived at the Imphal airport earlier this afternoon to visit relief camps here.

Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi visited the Jiribam Higher Secondary School relief camp and offered support to the victims of violence there.
The official handle of the Congress party took to a microblogging site and posted on X, "LoP Rahul Gandhi visits Jiribam Higher Secondary School relief camp, meets victims of violence and offers support in their darkest hour. His third visit to Manipur post-violence shows his unwavering commitment to the people's cause."
Violence erupted in the northeastern state on May 3 last year following clashes during a rally organised by the All Tribals Students Union (ATSU) to protest against the demand for the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe category.