The Manipur government has granted permission for the flagging-off of the Congress's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from Imphal, albeit with a restricted number of participants. Initially, the approval for the event was declined. The Congress, in a press conference in New Delhi, emphasized that the yatra is not political and confirmed that it would commence as planned.
Congress general secretary K C Venugopal stated that the party is simultaneously gearing up for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The Manipur-to-Maharashtra yatra is scheduled to commence on January 14 from Imphal.
According to the order issued by the Imphal East District Magistrate's office, the flagging-off of the yatra with a limited number of participants is permitted on January 14 to prevent any untoward incidents and disturbances in law and order. The order requires the participants' names and numbers to be provided in advance for necessary precautionary measures.
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The Manipur government's approval comes eight days after the Congress sought permission for the yatra's flagging-off at the Hapta Kangjeibung ground in Imphal. During the press conference at the AICC headquarters, Congress leaders Venugopal and Jairam Ramesh released a pamphlet and launched a website for the yatra.
The party also initiated the 'Nyay Yodhas' campaign, allowing individuals to become yatra volunteers by leaving a missed call on a designated phone number.
The decision comes after the Imphal East DSP reported an expected large crowd during the yatra's opening ceremony, which could pose challenges given the current law and order situation in the state. Additionally, Section 144 of the CrPC is in force in the district, and prohibitory orders have been in effect since the onset of ethnic violence in Manipur on May 3, claiming about 185 lives and injuring hundreds.
