Manipur guv takes chopper to Raj Bhavan as protests escalate
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Imphal: Manipur governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla had to take a chopper to reach the Raj Bhavan after arriving in Imphal from New Delhi Monday afternoon as protesters assembled along the Kwakeithel airport road and formed a human chain in protest against the concealing of the state's name from a govt bus that was heading to the Shirui Lily Festival on May 20.
Bhalla had left for Delhi on May 21.
The agitators took positions at 11.30am along the airport route, displaying placards stating the 'governor should apologise,' 'don't disintegrate the territorial integrity of Manipur,' while voicing demands for an apology regarding claims that endanger the state's territorial identity.
The current protests initiated after central forces from the Mahar Regiment instructed the removal of 'Manipur State' text from a journalist transport bus.
The vehicle was travelling to Ukhrul for Shirui Lily Festival 2025 coverage when central security personnel requested the state's name concealment on May 20.
COCOMI had observed a 48-hour strike across Manipur last week to protest against the incident that took place in the Gwaltabi area. They demanded an apology from the governor and the resignation of three top officers.
Students across various educational institutions formed human chains protesting the incident, while women confronted state and central security forces stationed heavily along the airport-Raj Bhavan route.
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Human chain protests were also held in Ningthoukhong and Moirang areas in Bishnupur district.
Security has been beefed up at several points, including Moirangkhom in Imphal West district and Konung Mamang in Imphal East district.
COCOMI women wing convener RK Tharaksana told reporters, "The governor avoided travelling by road and meeting the people. This clearly shows that he has made a mistake. We will not stop our protests now.
He has poured oil into the fire with his action today. We had not planned any violent protest. We raised slogans during our demonstration."
A seven-member delegation of COCOMI, led by its convener Khuraijam Athouba, left for Delhi on Monday to attend a meeting with officials of the MHA on Tuesday.
Athouba, before departing from Imphal, told reporters, "We had delayed pursuit of our objectives with the Centre due to Operation Sindoor.
However, with the successful conclusion of the operation on the western front of the country, we are seeking the Centre's measures in dealing with narco-terrorists on the eastern front of the country."
"At a critical time, the Gwaltabi incident happened in which the state's historical and cultural legacy was severely hit. We will raise the issues related to the Gwaltabi incident and other agenda concerning the Manipur crisis," he added.
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