Uddhav Thackeray faction MP Sanjay Raut, who is often seen having his tongue in cheek, has made a startling claim about the ongoing Manipur unrest. More than 100 people have lost their lives in the ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities in the northeastern state so far. Clashes first broke out on May 3 after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday arrived at Imphal for a two-day visit to strife-torn Manipur. He will leave for Churachandpur district where he will visit relief camps to meet people displaced by ethnic strife that rocked the northeastern state since early last month.
Accusing the Prime Minister of not addressing the situation in Manipur, Sanjay Raut said, "It's a good thing that Rahul Gandhi is going to Manipur. Union HM went there but nothing happened. PM has not said even a word about Manipur till now. The situation in Manipur is deteriorating as China is involved in it."
Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals -- Nagas and Kukis -- constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts.
