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Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
No order to cover ‘Manipur' on bus, Chief Secretary says panel will inquire
In an attempt to put the row over covering of the word 'Manipur' on a state transport bus to rest, state Chief Secretary Prashant Kumar Singh Thursday expressed regret over the incident and announced an inquiry into it. Making it clear that there was 'no instructions' to cover the word 'Manipur', Singh, who was addressing mediapersons in Imphal along with Kuldeip Singh, Security Adviser to Manipur government, said, 'The state administration has taken the reported untoward incident with utmost seriousness and the incident is deeply regretted… The state will also ensure that such an incident does not occur in future.' Chief Secretary Singh said that Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla has constituted an inquiry committee comprising the Commissioner (Home) and the Secretary IT which will submit its report in a time-bound manner. Emphasising that the state administration was 'committed to the integrity of the state of Manipur', he assured that after the report is submitted 'and those responsible for the lapses, if any, are identified, strict action would be taken'. On May 20, security forces allegedly stopped a state-run bus, carrying journalists to cover the Shirui Lily festival in Ukhrul district, near the Gwaltabi checkpost and forced Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) staffers to cover the state's name written on the windshield with a white paper. In the Valley, this was seen as an insult to the state which led to widespread protest. According to Singh, there was 'no instructions whatsoever or even remote thought of covering the name of the state'. 'This has been amply clarified by the state government as well as by the responsible political leadership. What transpired on the ground, would be revealed after a thorough inquiry only,' Singh said. Amid massive protests, Governor Bhalla, who was returning from Delhi after a meeting, was taken in a chopper to Raj Bhavan from the Imphal airport on Monday. Congress state president K Meghachandra Singh has said the incident showed the failure of President's Rule in the state. Chief Secretary Singh also said that the festival was organised 'as part of normalcy-restoration process' and it attracted about 1.7 lakh people. 'People of all communities travelled with families from valley areas and other parts of the state as well as from outside the state, to Ukhrul to attend the festival as the state administration provided foolproof security and safe environment for festive activities. However, one unfortunate incident on 20th of May 2025, when a Manipur State Road Transport Bus ferrying journalists to the Shirui Festival was stopped and the name of the state was reportedly covered, has drawn wide criticism,' he said.
NDTV
27-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
'Submitted Documents On Illegal Immigrants': Manipur Ex Chief Minister After Meeting Governor
Imphal: Former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Tuesday said he discussed the prevailing situation in the state with Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and asked him to invite the protesters for talks to resolve the Gwaltabi incident. Over the last week, protests over the Gwaltabi incident have been going on in the Meitei-dominant Imphal valley. It was alleged that security forces stopped a state-run bus, in which journalists were being taken by the government to cover the Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul district on May 20, near the Gwaltabi checkpost and forced the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) staffers to cover the state's name written on the windshield with a white paper. "Today I met governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla. I discussed with him regarding the prevailing situation in the state and suggested some points. He listened and said necessary actions will be initiated to resolve the crisis by inviting the protesters. I hope so," Mr Singh said at a late-night press conference. Mr Singh said he also apprised the Governor about the issues of internally displaced people (IDP) staying in relief camps. "I apprised him (Governor) about the issues of IDPs who are staying in relief camps as well as the sufferings of the valley people due to the non-opening of national highways. People are not able to travel by road and I apprised him of that," he said. "I also urged him to disarm all those miscreants who are in possession of illegal arms. Only then, we can proceed for peace." The former chief minister said the purpose of the meeting included showing appreciation to the Ministry of Home Affairs for setting a 30-day deadline to identify illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar. "Today's main purpose of the visit was in appreciation of the Ministry of Home Affairs for setting a deadline of 30 days to identify illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar... I also submitted all documents which were started in 2021 during which several illegal immigrants were identified under the leadership of then minister Letpao Haokip, who was the chairman of a sub-committee to look into the matter," Mr Singh said. "We had a detailed discussion on a range of pressing issues concerning the state, including issues regarding the Gwaltabi incident and to resolve the tensions arising from it," he said in a post on X. Called on Hon'ble Governor, Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla, at Raj Bhavan today. We had a detailed discussion on a range of pressing issues concerning the State, including issues regarding the Gwaltabi incident and to resolve the tensions arising from it. We also had a talk on the... — N. Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) May 27, 2025 "We also had a talk on the initiatives taken under the BJP-led government in line with the Ministry of Home Affairs' 30-day directive- from biometric registration and verification drives to deportation of undocumented foreign nationals... I requested the Governor to seek an extension of the 30-day deadline issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. These measures are vital for ensuring national security and preserving Manipur's cultural fabric," the former chief minister added. Since May 2023, more than 260 people have been killed and thousands have been internally displaced in ethnic violence between the Meitei community and the Kuki tribes, who are dominant in some hill areas of Manipur. The Centre imposed President's rule in the state on February 13 after Mr Singh resigned as chief minister. The assembly, which has a tenure till 2027, has been put under suspended animation.
The Print
27-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Former Manipur CM N Biren Singh discusses prevailing situation in state with governor
It was alleged that security forces had stopped a state-run bus, on which journalists were being taken by the government to cover the Shirui Lily festival in Ukhrul district on May 20, near the Gwaltabi checkpost and forced the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) staffers to cover the state's name written on the windshield with a white paper. Over the last week, protests over the Gwaltabi incident have rocked the Meitei-inhabited Imphal Valley. Imphal, May 27 (PTI) Former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Tuesday said that he discussed the prevailing situation in the state with Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and urged him to invite the protesters for talks to resolve the Gwaltabi incident. Addressing a late-night press conference, Singh said, 'Today I meet governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla. I discussed with him regarding the prevailing situation in the state and suggested some points. He listened and necessary actions will be initiated to resolve the present crisis by inviting the protesters. I hope so.' Singh said he also apprised the governor about the issues of internally displaced people (IDP) staying in relief camps. 'I also apprised him (governor) about the issues of IDPs who are staying in relief camps as well as the sufferings of the valley people due to the non-opening of national highways. People are not able to travel by road and I apprised him of that,' he said. 'I also urged him to disarm all those miscreants who are in possession of illegal arms. Only then, we can proceed for peace,' Singh said. The former CM said that the purpose of the meeting included showing appreciation to the Ministry of Home Affairs for setting 30-day deadline to identify illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar. 'Today's main purpose of visit was to appreciate the Ministry of Home Affairs for setting a deadline of 30 days to identify illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar… I also submitted all documents which were started in 2021 during which several illegal immigrants were identified under the leadership of then minister Letpao Haokip, who was the chairman of a sub-committee to look into the matter,' Singh said. Later in a post on X, Singh said, 'We had a detailed discussion on a range of pressing issues concerning the state, including issues regarding the Gwaltabi incident and to resolve the tensions arising from it.' 'We also had a talk on the initiatives taken under the BJP-led government in line with the Ministry of Home Affairs' 30-day directive- from biometric registration and verification drives to deportation of undocumented foreign nationals… I requested the Governor to seek an extension of the 30-day deadline issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. These measures are vital for ensuring national security and preserving Manipur's cultural fabric,' Singh added. More than 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups, who are the majority in the hill areas, since May 2023. The Centre imposed the President's rule in the state on February 13 after N Biren Singh resigned as chief minister. The assembly, which has tenure till 2027, has been put under suspended animation. PTI COR RG This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
The Print
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Protest rallies in Manipur over ‘removal' of state's name from govt bus
Similar protest marches, including formation of human chains, were organised at Kongba, Lamlong in Imphal East. At Chingmeirong in Imphal West, the rallyists raised slogans and attempted to march towards the Raj Bhavan, but were stopped by security forces, officials said. Imphal, May 23 (PTI) Protesters took out rallies in Manipur's Imphal West and Imphal East districts on Friday evening over the alleged removal of the state's name from a government bus earlier in the week. 'The recent incident involving journalists on a bus has clearly shown that top officials in the state have no understanding of the historical and cultural legacy of Manipur,' one of the protesters claimed. Security forces had allegedly stopped a state-run bus carrying journalists to cover the 'Shirui Lily' festival in Ukhrul district on Tuesday, and forced the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) staffers to conceal the state's name written on the windshield with a white paper. A 48-hour state-wide bandh was also called by the Meitei organisation Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) in protest against the incident. The Manipur government has ordered a probe into the allegations against the security personnel. It has also formed a two-member inquiry committee, which will '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', according to an order issued by the Home Department. PTI CORR RBT This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Indian Express
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Manipur: 48-hour bandh affects normal life in Imphal Valley
The 48-hour state-wide bandh called by Meitei organisation Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) in protest against the removal of the state's name from a government bus affected normal life across the five districts of Imphal Valley on Thursday. All business establishments, educational institutions, and government and private offices were closed and public transport remained off the roads. At Wangkhei, Khurai, Kongba in Imphal East district and Kwakeithel, Naoremthong in Imphal West district, bandh supporters came out on the streets to enforce the shutdown and asked any individual outside their homes to return back. The bandh started on Wednesday midnight. Bandh supporters also burned tyres on the roads at Naoremthong, Kwakeithel, Khurai and Wangkhei in state capital Imphal. Security has been tightened across Imphal to prevent any untoward incident. Central forces personnel have been deployed at strategic places across all points leading to the Raj Bhavan. The Manipur government on Wednesday ordered a probe into the allegations that security personnel forced to cover the state's name on a bus taking journalists to the Shirui Lily festival. It was alleged that security forces had stopped the state-run bus, on which journalists were being taken by the government to cover the tourism festival in Ukhrul district on Tuesday, and forced the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) staffers to cover the state's name written on the windshield with a white paper. The government formed a two-member inquiry committee, and said that it will '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', according to an order issued by the Home Department. 'The committee shall look into lapses, if any and suggest measures to prevent recurrence of such a situation in future,' it said. The committee, comprising Commissioner (Home) N Ashok Kumar and Secretary Th Kirankumar Singh, has been asked to submit its report within 15 days, it added. Amid outrage over the incident, COCOMI called a 48-hour general strike from Wednesday midnight, and demanded an apology from Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, and the resignation of Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, DGP Rajiv Singh and Chief Secretary Prashant Kumar Singh. '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,' COCOMI convenor Khuraijam Athouba said. 'The people of Manipur demand to know under whose authority the decision was taken. It should be clarified to the public within 48 hours,' he added. The Shirui Lily festival is being held after a gap of two years as the state, ravaged by ethnic clashes between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo community, limps back to normalcy amid the President's Rule, which was imposed in February following the resignation of N Biren Singh as the chief minister.
