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Economic Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
Manipur valley hit by shutdown over bus signage row; inquiry launched, journalists protest
The 48-hour state-wide shutdown, called by Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) in protest against the removal of the state's name from a government bus on Tuesday affected normal life in five to six districts of Manipur's valley region on Thursday. A senior police official said that most markets, shops, business establishments, educational institutions, and government and private offices were closed, and public transport remained off the roads in the valley region, inhabited by the Meitei community. COCOMI supporters came out on the streets to enforce the shutdown, and they urged the people to remain inside their homes. The bandh supporters also burned tyres on the roads at different places in the state capital, official said that so far, there has been no major incident in connection with the per the call of the COCOMI, the shutdown started on Wednesday midnight, and it had almost no effect in Kuki and Naga-dominated hill areas. The state government has deployed a huge contingent of central and state forces to prevent any untoward incident relating to the shutdown.A media team, en route to cover the opening ceremony of the five-day-long Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul district on Tuesday, was returned to Imphal, allegedly after some security personnel blocked their bus at Gwaltabi in Imphal East district and covered the Manipur from the state run bus in the windshield. The All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) and the Editors Guild Manipur (EGM), in a joint letter to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Tuesday, said that the security personnel instructed the media team to hide the "Manipur State Transport Corporation" signage on the front of the bus carrying 20 journalists and some Information Department strongly, the AMWJU and the EGM organised a 'pen down' protest on Wednesday against the "disrespectful behaviour" by the security personnel towards the press and the people of Manipur government on Wednesday constituted a two-member inquiry committee to probe the issue. The committee, comprising Commissioner, Home, N. Ashok Kumar, and Information Technology Secretary Th. Kirankumar Singh, would submit their report within 15 days. COCOMI Convenor Khuraijam Athouba demanded a formal apology from Governor leading Meitei community body also called for the immediate resignation of Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, Chief Secretary and Director General of Police Rajiv Singh, holding them responsible for failing to protect the dignity and integrity of the state of Congress, its Lok Sabha member Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, BJP's Rajya Sabha member from Manipur Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba, former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and many other leaders and organisations protested the view of the 5-day long (May 20 to 24) Shirui Lily Festival, the Manipur government has taken huge security measures after reported threats by some individuals and organisations to the Meitei community against entering Kuki tribal-dominated areas during the festival.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Manipur valley hit by shutdown over bus signage row; inquiry launched, journalists protest
The 48-hour state-wide shutdown, called by Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) in protest against the removal of the state's name from a government bus on Tuesday affected normal life in five to six districts of Manipur's valley region on Thursday. A senior police official said that most markets, shops, business establishments, educational institutions, and government and private offices were closed, and public transport remained off the roads in the valley region, inhabited by the Meitei community . COCOMI supporters came out on the streets to enforce the shutdown, and they urged the people to remain inside their homes. The bandh supporters also burned tyres on the roads at different places in the state capital, Imphal. The official said that so far, there has been no major incident in connection with the bandh. As per the call of the COCOMI, the shutdown started on Wednesday midnight, and it had almost no effect in Kuki and Naga-dominated hill areas. The state government has deployed a huge contingent of central and state forces to prevent any untoward incident relating to the shutdown. A media team, en route to cover the opening ceremony of the five-day-long Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul district on Tuesday, was returned to Imphal, allegedly after some security personnel blocked their bus at Gwaltabi in Imphal East district and covered the Manipur from the state run bus in the windshield. The All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) and the Editors Guild Manipur (EGM), in a joint letter to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Tuesday, said that the security personnel instructed the media team to hide the " Manipur State Transport Corporation" signage on the front of the bus carrying 20 journalists and some Information Department officials. Reacting strongly, the AMWJU and the EGM organised a 'pen down' protest on Wednesday against the "disrespectful behaviour" by the security personnel towards the press and the people of Manipur. The Manipur government on Wednesday constituted a two-member inquiry committee to probe the issue. The committee, comprising Commissioner, Home, N. Ashok Kumar, and Information Technology Secretary Th. Kirankumar Singh, would submit their report within 15 days. COCOMI Convenor Khuraijam Athouba demanded a formal apology from Governor Bhalla. The leading Meitei community body also called for the immediate resignation of Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, Chief Secretary and Director General of Police Rajiv Singh, holding them responsible for failing to protect the dignity and integrity of the state of Manipur. Opposition Congress, its Lok Sabha member Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, BJP's Rajya Sabha member from Manipur Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba, former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and many other leaders and organisations protested the incident. In view of the 5-day long (May 20 to 24) Shirui Lily Festival, the Manipur government has taken huge security measures after reported threats by some individuals and organisations to the Meitei community against entering Kuki tribal-dominated areas during the festival.
NDTV
21-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Meitei Group Calls 48-Hr Strike Over 'Manipur' Signage Removal
New Delhi: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), an umbrella body of the Meitei community, has called a 48-hour state-wide shutdown from Wednesday midnight to protest against the reported removal of the signage containing the word "Manipur" from a state transport bus by security personnel. On Tuesday, a media team from state capital Imphal was going to cover the opening ceremony of the five-day-long Shirui Lily Festival in Manipur's Ukhrul district. But they were forced to return after security personnel blocked their bus at Gwaltabi in Imphal East district. Some volunteers of the lily festival had said there was concern about possible attacks on members of the Meitei community at some isolated stretches of the highway. In a joint letter to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, the all Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) and Editors Guild Manipur had said the security personnel instructed the media team to hide the "Manipur State Transport Corporation" signage placed on the front of the bus. The word Manipur was covered with white sticky tape. Reacting strongly, the AMWJU and EGM declared a "pen down" protest on Wednesday against what they termed as disrespectful behaviour by the security personnel towards the press and the people of Manipur. On Wednesday, the Manipur government formed a two-member inquiry committee to probe the matter. The committee is expected to submit its report within 15 days. "The committee shall look into lapses, if any, and suggest measures to prevent the recurrence of such a situation in future," read an order issued by Manipur Chief Secretary Prashant Kumar Singh. The northeastern state, which was hit by violence for long, has been under President's Rule.
Hans India
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Manipur: Shirui Lily Festival kicks off amid tight security
Imphal: The five-day-long Shirui Lily Festival began in Manipur's Ukhrul district on Tuesday amidst tight security. The festival, organised by the Manipur Tourism Department, is being held for the first time since ethnic violence broke out in the state in May 2023. The inaugural ceremony at Heritage Ground in Ukhrul district's Vangayan village was graced by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla. A media team from the state capital en route to cover the opening ceremony of the festival was forced to return to Imphal, allegedly after some security personnel blocked their bus at Gwaltabi in Imphal East district. All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) and Editors Guild Manipur (EGM) in protest against the incident and demanding actions against the "perpetrators" jointly announced to launch a 'pen down strike' on Wednesday (May 21) and suspend all normal professional duties by the journalists fraternity. The AMWJU and the EGM, in a joint letter to the Governor, said that the security personnel instructed the media team to hide the writing 'Manipur State Transport Corporation' printed on the front of the bus carrying 20 Journalists and some Information Department officials. 'The instruction raised concern and confusion among the media professionals, who questioned the logic behind hiding a state government name while operating within the state,' the letter said. The incident triggered huge anger and protests among the Meitei community people in the valley region, with some organisations holding protest rallies in the capital city. Opposition Congress, Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), an umbrella body of the Meitei community, Congress' Lok Sabha member Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, BJP's Rajya Sabha member from Manipur Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba, and many other leaders and organisations protested the incident. Congress Spokesperson Ningombam Bupenda Meitei on Tuesday said that the party expressed serious concern on the failure of the state, including the Union government, to ensure effective free movement of all citizens and persons in the entire Manipur state since May 3, 2023. 'We urge both the Central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Manipur Governor, as the state is placed under President's Rule, to uphold the Constitution in order to ensure the free movement of all in Manipur state,' the Congress Spokesperson said. In view of the festival, the Manipur government has taken huge security measures after reported threats by some individuals and organisations to the Meitei community against entering Kuki tribal-dominated areas during the Shirui Lily Festival. The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), the apex body of the Kuki-Zo-Hmar tribal community, also, however, did not support the 'Kuki Zo Village Volunteers Eastern Zone' reported warning to the Meitei community. Shirui Lily Festival, mostly organised by the Meitei community, is celebrated in honour of the state flower, Shirui Lily. Underlining its ecological importance, the celebration takes place during the peak blooming season of the Shirui Lily, a rare and endangered flower that can only be found in Manipur. Shirui lily grows on top of the Shirui hills in Ukhrul district and cannot be replanted anywhere else in the world. The state flower of Manipur fills the air with its pleasant fragrance during the blooming season. The festival is observed primarily to spread awareness and conserve the endangered state flower. The festival provides an opportunity for people from various communities and tribes to come together, explore the highest hill station of Manipur, the picturesque Ukhrul district and get deeper insights about the Tangkhul Naga tribe dwelling here.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Manipur media shuts down on May 21 to protest harassment of journalists by security forces
Guwahati: Media in Manipur have resolved to suspend publication on May 21, in protest against alleged harassment of journalists by security personnel at Gwaltabi, Imphal East. The journalists were enroute to Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul however they returned from the way alleging harassment by security personnel. The decision was jointly announced by the All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) and the Editors' Guild Manipur (EGM) following an emergency meeting held in Imphal. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Médico revela: 'esse tipo de magnésio está mudando a vida de meus pacientes' AlwaysFit Saiba Mais Undo According to the statement issued, the media fraternity also submitted a memorandum to the Governor of Manipur. The memorandum demanded accountability and appropriate punitive actions against those responsible for organizing the Shirui Lily Festival without ensuring the safety and dignity of the media. The demands include penal action against officials and personnel involved in the alleged harassment. Disciplinary measures against those in charge of the area where the incident occurred.A directive to the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) to consult relevant stakeholders more effectively to prevent recurrence of such incidents. Live Events The AMWJU and EGM announced a one-day Pen-Down Strike, with the possibility of an extension if the issue remains unresolved. They have also decided to boycott all news and information related to the Manipur State Government and Central and State security forces operating in the state, until a satisfactory explanation and resolution are provided. The incident occurred at the Gwaltabi checkpoint, about 25 km from Imphal, when a media team was en route to cover the inaugural function of the Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul. The team, comprising around 20 journalists and staff from the DIPR, was traveling in a bus arranged by the DIPR, marked with the signage 'Manipur State Transport.' Security personnel at the Gwaltabi checkpoint allegedly asked the team to conceal the 'Manipur State Transport'. The media team decided to return to Imphal, abandoning their assignment. All India Congress Committee (AICC) Member and Senior Spokesperson of the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee, Ningombam Bupenda Meitei, voiced serious concern over the prolonged restrictions on free movement in Manipur. Meitei stated that the Congress party was deeply disturbed by the continued inability of both the Union Government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the state administration—currently under President's Rule—to ensure the fundamental right to free movement for all citizens across the state since May 3, 2023. Referring to reports of a Manipur State Transport Corporation bus carrying media personnel to the Shirui Lily Festival 2025 in Ukhrul being stopped by security forces, he said it was shocking to learn that the name 'Manipur' on the bus had to be covered and that journalists were allegedly told not to use the word. He questioned how a government could expect ordinary citizens to feel safe when even a state transport vehicle cannot move freely within its own jurisdiction. The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) described it as "a deliberate attempt to delegitimize the authority and very existence of the state of Manipur within its own territory" by members of the Indian Army stationed at the Gwaltabi checkpoint in Imphal East. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam , Lok Sabha MP from Manipur stated, 'This is absolutely unacceptable! Security forces compelling people to remove "Manipur" from the signage of the Manipur State Road Transport (Corporation)!It gives credence to the familiar allegation of the complicity of the elements in the Central Security forces with those forces in seeking to destroy (the idea of) Manipur!.' He added, ' This is over and above being another example of the chaotic nature of the coordination among different agencies of the state that has hitherto marked the Manipur tragedy. The government must take appropriate measures to punish these rogue elements'. Shirui Lily Festival, mostly organised by the Meitei community, is celebrated in honour of the state flower, Shirui Lily.
