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Manipur government denies issuing order to cover state name amid festival row

Manipur government denies issuing order to cover state name amid festival row

India Today28-05-2025
The Manipur Government has issued a firm clarification denying any directive to conceal the name 'Manipur' on an official bus, amid ongoing controversy surrounding an incident during the recently concluded Shirui Festival.In a press release issued by the Chief Secretary, the government stated that there had been no instruction whatsoever, not even a remote consideration, to cover the state's name on the Manipur State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus, as alleged in various reports.advertisementThe clarification follows criticism that erupted after a May 20 incident in which a bus ferrying journalists to the festival in Ukhrul was reportedly stopped and the word 'Manipur' on the vehicle was allegedly covered.
The incident has drawn sharp reactions from several quarters, raising questions about the message it conveys amid ongoing unrest and efforts to restore normalcy.Rejecting the claims, the official statement said, 'There has been no such instruction, and the public is requested not to be misled by unverified assertions.' The government reiterated its appeal for cooperation in maintaining peace and public order during this sensitive period.
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The Shirui Festival, a major cultural event held in Ukhrul district, was organised as part of the state's broader normalcy-restoration efforts.According to the Chief Secretary's statement, the event attracted around 1.7 lakh visitors, including families from both the valley and hill districts, as well as tourists from outside the state.Authorities provided tight security and ensured a safe environment throughout the celebrations. Despite the festival's success, the May 20 incident cast a shadow over the event and prompted the state administration to take swift action.The government has expressed deep regret over the incident and confirmed that the Governor has constituted an Inquiry Committee comprising the Commissioner (Home) and the Secretary (IT) to investigate the matter thoroughly. The committee has been instructed to submit its findings within a specified timeframe.Officials assured that strict action will be taken against those found responsible, if any lapses are identified through the inquiry. "The state will also ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future,' the release added.Emphasising its commitment to the unity and integrity of Manipur, the government reaffirmed that all its efforts are focused on establishing lasting peace. The public has once again been urged to extend full cooperation to the administration and law enforcement agencies in preserving order and harmony across the state.Must Watch
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