48-hour bandh in Manipur: Businesses, offices, educational institutions shut over bus name controversy - All you need to know
NEW DELHI: Normal life in the Valley's five districts was disrupted for the second consecutive day on Friday due to a 48-hour state-wide bandh called by COCOMI, a Meitei organisation, protesting the removal of the state's name from a government bus.
Business establishments, government offices, private offices, educational institutions remained shut, whilst public transport services were suspended.
Private vehicles were restricted, with exceptions made for medical emergencies and those travelling to the Shirui Lily festival in Ukhrul district.
In Bishnupur and Thoubal districts, women bandh supporters intercepted central security force vehicles and affixed 'Manipur/Kangleipak' to their windshields.
Kangleipak refers to Manipur's historical name.
Early Friday, bandh supporters instructed roadside vegetable vendors at Andro Parking, Kongba and Khurai areas in Imphal East district to cease operations. The bandh was also enforced in Uripok, Singjamei and Kwakeithel in Imphal West district.
Thursday night witnessed a 2-kilometre torch rally with participants chanting "Manipur cannot be obliterated."
Strategic locations leading to the Raj Bhavan are under central forces' surveillance.
The state government initiated an investigation on Wednesday regarding allegations that security personnel compelled covering of the state's name on a bus transporting journalists to the Shirui Lily festival.
Reports indicate that security forces halted a state-operated bus carrying journalists to the Ukhrul district tourism festival on Tuesday, compelling DIPR staff to obscure the state's name on the windscreen with white paper.
A two-member inquiry committee was established to "examine facts and circumstances involving security personnel and Manipur State Road Transport Bus carrying media persons to cover the Manipur Shirui festival on May 20 near Gwaltabi checkpost", per home department orders.
The directive stated: "The committee shall investigate any lapses and recommend preventive measures for similar future situations."
Commissioners N Ashok Kumar and secretary Th Kirankumar Singh comprise the committee, tasked to submit findings within 15 days.
COCOMI launched a 48-hour general strike from Wednesday midnight, demanding governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla's apology and resignations from Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, DGP Rajiv Singh and Chief Secretary Prashant Kumar Singh.
COCOMI convenor Khuraijam Athouba stated: "The decision to have Manipur removed from a state bus itself is anti-Manipur, absolutely challenges the idea of Manipur and its historical and cultural identity."
He added: "The people of Manipur demand to know under whose authority the decision was taken. It should be clarified to the public within 48 hours."
The Shirui Lily festival resumes after two years in the state. After N Biren Singh's resignation as chief minister, Manipur is now under President's rule after violent clashes between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
CM vows to eliminate Maoism by March 2026, announces police Commissionerate system
Raipur: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, in his Independence Day address on Friday, pledged to eradicate Maoist insurgency from the Bastar region by March 31, 2026, and praised the efforts of security forces for their successful operations against the rebels in their strongholds. Speaking at the 79th Independence Day celebration at the Police Parade Ground in Raipur, he also announced that the Police Commissionerate system would soon be introduced in the state to further strengthen law enforcement. The CM highlighted the success of the government's aggressive anti-Naxal strategy, which combines intensive operations with a robust surrender policy. Since December 2023, over 450 Maoists have been neutralised, 1,578 arrested, and 1,589 surrendered. Prominent Maoist leaders, including Basavaraju and Sudhakar Reddy, were among those killed. Sai underscored the government's commitment to reaching the last mile, citing the transformation of Tadmetla, once the site of a deadly Maoist attack, into a hub of healthcare. The Chintagufa health centre now serves thousands and facilitates about 20 childbirths each month. With Maoist influence waning, 50 previously shut schools in Bastar have reopened, remote villages have gained electricity, and bank branches have opened in former insurgent zones like Pamed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Could This NEW Collagen Blend Finally Reduce Your Cellulite? Vitauthority Learn More Undo Under the Niyad Nella Naar – Your Good Village scheme, 327 villages have received access to basic facilities, he said. The event also marked the inauguration of the Chhattisgarh Rajat Mahotsav, commemorating 25 years of statehood. Paying tribute to freedom fighters like Shaheed Gend Singh, Veer Narayan Singh, and Veer Gundadhur, the CM called on citizens to embrace their legacy and work towards a prosperous Chhattisgarh. Sai also emphasised the state's role in PM Modi's 'Vocal for Local' initiative. He urged people to choose swadeshi products and called on MSMEs to ensure high quality and reduce import dependency. The government is actively promoting khadi, millets, pulses, and eco-friendly farming. Highlighting national defense, he praised the armed forces for safeguarding India's sovereignty, referencing operations from past wars with Pakistan to the recent Operation Sindoor in Pahalgam. On the housing front, the CM announced the approval of 18 lakh houses, including 34,000 for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) and 15,000 for surrendered Maoists, under various central schemes. He said that in the education sector, the government plans to establish Education City and Science City in Nava Raipur, alongside the National Forensic Sciences University and National Institute of Electronics and IT. Skill development centers are also being set up across all 32 blocks of Bastar. A new startup policy aims to support 150 startups and engage 50,000 students across 100 technical institutes. The CM said that infrastructure development is also a major focus. The Bodhghat Multipurpose Project, with a ₹50,000 crore investment, will generate 200 MW of electricity and expand irrigation to 7 lakh hectares. Plans include new rail lines, expressways, and solar initiatives under the PM Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana. The state has attracted investment proposals worth over ₹6.65 lakh crore. Sai also highlighted women-centric schemes like the Mahatari Vandana Yojana, providing ₹1,000 per month to 70 lakh women, with over ₹11,700 crore already disbursed. The CM said that on the cultural front, the state will establish a Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum, increase pensions for artists and writers, and promote Bastar tourism and homestays. Environmental initiatives include planting 3.5 crore saplings and expanding forest cover by 683 sq km under the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" campaign. Concluding his address, CM Sai urged citizens to commit to building a self-reliant and developed Chhattisgarh, inspired by the ideals of leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay. "With people's participation, we will surely achieve the goal of a developed Chhattisgarh and fulfill our vision for a free, prosperous, and self-reliant state," he said. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
Villager injured as gunfight breaks out between security forces and Maoists
Raipur: A villager was injured after he was hit by a bullet during a gunfight that broke out between Maoists and security forces on late Friday night in the forested area of Kohkameta village in Kondagaon district, Bastar division. The exchange of fire lasted several minutes. The villager is currently in stable condition and receiving treatment at a hospital. Some country-made weapons, Maoist uniforms and literature were seized from the encounter site. According to Kondagaon SP Y Akshay Kumar, the encounter occurred during a joint anti-Naxal operation launched based on specific intelligence about Maoist activity in the Kanhargaon area. The operation involved personnel from the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Bastar Fighters, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Security forces reportedly came under heavy fire from a group of 10–12 armed Maoists who had set up an ambush in the forest. The Maoists, armed with automatic weapons, opened indiscriminate fire, allegedly intending to loot arms and target the security personnel. The joint forces retaliated, forcing the Maoists to retreat into the dense forest under the cover of darkness. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo During the crossfire, a local villager who happened to be in the vicinity was accidentally hit by a bullet. He was quickly evacuated, first taken to a nearby medical facility, and later referred to Kondagaon district hospital for further treatment. In the follow-up search of the encounter site, security personnel recovered two country-made guns, Maoist uniforms, propaganda materials, backpacks, and medical supplies. Authorities believe these items indicate the Maoists had been camping in the area and were possibly preparing for a larger attack. SP Kumar added that the security forces have intensified combing operations in the forests of Kohkameta and Nalajhar to track down the fleeing Maoists. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Indian Express
Manipur Governor gets additional charge of Nagaland after La Ganesan's death
Following Nagaland Governor La Ganesan's death, Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla has been given the additional charge of discharging those functions. The Rashtrapati Bhavan made the announcement Saturday evening. La Ganesan, a veteran organiser for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and one of BJP's longest-serving leaders in Tamil Nadu, died in Chennai Friday. Bhalla, who was formerly Union Home Secretary, was appointed Manipur governor in December 2024, less than two months ahead of President's Rule being imposed in the state in February this year. He had been the Union Home Secretary when the ongoing conflict in the state had begun on May 3 2023, and with the imposition of President's Rule — which has now been extended for another six months — is effectively in charge of administering the state. While there has been a significant decrease in active violence between Manipur's Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities — the last major cycle of violence between the two communities was in November last year — there is yet to be a breakthrough in dialogue between representatives between of the two communities, and they are currently not in talks with each other. Under his charge, the government in Manipur has aimed to address several key challenges in the state. This includes a call for people on both sides to surrender arms and ammunition looted from the state's armouries and an attempt to open up the state's highways for free movement of both communities through areas where the other community is in the majority. While the former was met with limited success, the latter misfired, with the state witnessing violence on the first day itself. The government is also currently trying to facilitate the resettlement of people displaced by the conflict. As Union Home Secretary, he oversaw the security situation after the scrapping of Jammu and Kashmir's special status in 2019, and the anti-CAA protests across the country. He was the chief nodal officer overseeing the COVID-19 lockdown.
