Imphal/IBNS: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who took a helicopter to Manipur's Churachandpur district on Thursday after being stopped by local police, said he came to the violence-hit state to "listen to all my brothers and sisters".

A massive protest broke out in Imphal with demonstrators chanting 'Go back Rahul' as the Congress leader arrived in Manipur, which has been plagued by violence.

In an attempt to control the crowd, security forces used tear gas shells.

Earlier in the day, the police had halted the Congress leader's convoy from Imphal to Churachandpur district due to security concerns, forcing him to travel to the district via helicopter.

"I came to listen to all my brothers and sisters of Manipur. People of all communities are being very welcoming and loving. It's very unfortunate that the government is stopping me. Manipur needs healing. Peace has to be our only priority," Gandhi said in a tweet.

Rahul Gandhis’ convoy was stopped some 20 km from Imphal over concerns of security amid tense law and order situation.

According to senior police officer Heisnam Balram Singh, considering the current situation on the ground, they prevented Rahul Gandhi from proceeding further and suggested that he travel to Churachandpur by helicopter.

The decision was made due to the potential risk of a grenade attack along the route that Rahul Gandhi, as a VIP, would have taken.

The police prioritized his security and safety by disallowing his travel along the highway. Police said Gandhi’s convoy could be mistaken for a cavalcade of "attackers" in Churachandpur.

Rahul Gandhi arrived in Manipur to visit relief camps in Churachandpur, which has witnessed some of the worst cases of ethnic violence in the state.

Congress dubbed Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Manipur as a “healing touch” and a “force of love” even as it was opposed by many Civil Society Organisations & Student Unions in Manipur.

The ongoing ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities in the northeastern state has resulted in the loss of over 100 lives.

The clashes initially erupted on May 3 following a 'Tribal Solidarity March' held in the hill districts as a protest against the Meitei community's aspiration for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

The Meiteis, who make up around 53 percent of Manipur's population, predominantly reside in the Imphal Valley.

On the other hand, the tribal communities of Nagas and Kukis, constituting approximately 40 percent of the population, reside in the hill districts.