With just six days left for the Congress party’s major yatra, “Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra,” aimed at spanning the breadth of the country, the Manipur government is yet to give ground clearance for the event’s launch at Hapta Kangjeibung in Imphal East.
A team led by AICC general secretary (Org) KC Venugopal and AICC Manipur in-charge Girish Chodankar, accompanied by MPCC president K Meghachandra, CLP Leader O Ibobi, and CWC member Gaikhangam and other leaders, visited Hapta Kangjeibung to assess the ground’s suitability.
KC Venugopal, who is also a Congress MP, upon landing in Imphal on Monday, immediately proceeded to Hapta Kangjeibung from Imphal Airport, signalling a swift engagement in the preparations for the yatra.
Upon learning that the state government has still not given the ground clearance for the yatra, KC Venugopal, while speaking to the media, said, “This is not a political endeavour, don’t politicise this yatra by denying these things. We are doing this to ensure the future of Manipur.”
He went on to explain that one of the main objectives of the yatra is to heal the wounds of the people of Manipur which has been facing unrest since the last eight months and spread the message of love and affection.
The historic yatra, covering 6,500 kilometers from Manipur to Mumbai, seeks justice for the youth, women, farmers, and the poor, said Venugopal, expressing concern for Manipur’s situation, stating that the people of Manipur deserve justice.
The rest of the country is in pain to witness the situation of Manipur, he said, adding the people of Manipur needs nyay.
Despite the pending ground clearance, earlier Girish Chodankar and the MPCC team met with the chief secretary at his secretariat, who pledged to provide a report on the permission by evening after consulting with the chief minister.
In this regard, Girish Chodankar urged the chief minister to prioritise Manipur’s peace over party politics, emphasising the significance of the yatra for restoring peace.
As preparation for the yatra in the ground will take time, it is hoped that the government will give the permit by today itself, he said.
MPCC president K Meghachandra anticipates the yatra to be one of Manipur’s largest rallies, with over 300 national level leaders, including around 100 MPs.
He assured that the yatra, focused on peace restoration rather than politics, will proceed as planned in Manipur.
