Imphal : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is on a two day visit to the violence-hit state of Manipur. He arrived today at Imphal International Airport where he was received by Manipur Pradesh Congress leaders including former Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh, President K Meghachandra, former deputy CM of Gaikhangam, and other state leaders.

 Rahul Gandhi was scheduled to come back to Moirang after visiting Churachandpur and stay overnight there. But as Rahul’s convoy reached Bisnupur Police Station the road was blocked and the Manipur Police led by SP Bishnupur H. Balram stopped the convoy stating as there are incidents happening in the adjoining village near the Highway and IED blasts have taken place and it is not safe for a VVIP to travel by road.

The state government official informed that Rahul Gandhi’s travel plan was cleared for a visit to Churachandpur by Chopper and suddenly the plan is changed and they cannot take responsibility for his security and allow him to travel by road. The district administration clearly stated that Rahul Gandhi can travel to Churachandpur by chopper.

While the standoff continued many Congress supporters came to protest and tried to break in the police barricade to which Manipur Police fired rounds of tear gas at the incoming protesters. One of the tear gas landed just back of the bulletproof car Rahul Gandhi was protected in by SPG.

Once the situation went to such a point when the security personnel protecting Manipur State leaders were almost getting into a faceoff with Bishnupur District Police personnel. Somehow the situation didn’t reach a boiling point.
After the tear gas was fired part of the crowd could be dispersed but the congress supporter was high in spirit and the Congress leaders then decided that they would turn back towards Imphal Airport so that Rahul Gandhi can take the chopper to Churachandpur.  

The whole Bisnupur incident of today got the Congress supporters charged up and lots of supporters gave the slogan Rahul Gandhi Jindabad and wanted him to travel by road. 

 
Earlier the former Chief Minister of the state while confronting the Bisnupur SP said that why the Home Department of the State Government provided a bulletproof car for Rahul Gandhi and allowed his convoy to proceed towards Churachandpur. He questioned why Bisnupur district was not ready to allow his convoy to pass then the congress party should have been informed in the airport itself. Ibobi said, ‘I have run Government for fifteen years without any issue, I know how a DM works and this is not the time to do politics.

The President of Manipur Pradesh Congress K Meghachandra while speaking to the correspondent said that this blocking is done on the instruction of the Chief Minister of Manipur. CM Biren spoke to SP and ADM and we came to know about it. Our mission is a peace mission and we want to meet various communities. People from different communities are welcoming us but the police are disturbing us on the instruction of the Chief Minister. We want to share the sorrows of the affected inmates he echoed.

Later Rahul Gandhi left for Churachandpur from Imphal airport and visited three relief back. Later he returned back to Imphal. tomorrow he is scheduled to visit the relief camps of Imphal and leave the state by the afternoon.