Chaos erupts as Rahul visits violence-hit state

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Manipur was marked by high drama on Thursday after his convoy was initially blocked from travelling to violence-hit Churachandpur district over security concerns, prompting the former parliamentarian to eventually take a government-owned helicopter to the region that has seen several deadly clashes since ethnic riots erupted eight weeks ago.

- Utpal Parashar

His visit to the state, the first by a senior Opposition leader since the violence fulminated on May 3, also set off a pitched political battle between the Congress and the BJP, which governs the state, as the former accused the latter of using “autocratic methods” to stall Gandhi. The BJP, in turn, said Gandhi was trying to stoke violence in the tense state.

Gandhi arrived at Imphal airport at noon on Thursday amid tight security and set off by car to Churachandpur, 60km away. The police, however, stopped his convoy later in Bishnupur town and asked him to return, citing law and order concerns.