26-05-2025
Clash erupts after march to Manipur Raj Bhavan foiled
Even as the ethnic violence in Manipur continues after two years, Imphal – the capital of the State – saw clashes and chaos on Sunday (May 25, 2025) as people protesting the 'undermining' of the State's identity clashed with security personnel during a march to the Raj Bhavan.
The clashes came after Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), an umbrella body of Meitei organisations, gave the call for a civil disobedience campaign and boycott of Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Saturday (May 24, 2025). The Governor has been Manipur's administrator since the President's Rule was imposed on February 13 after Nongthombam Biren Singh resigned as the Chief Minister.
Five protesters were reportedly injured and hospitalised in the clashes. The COCOMI has been upset with Mr. Bhalla for not apologising for an incident at Gwaltabi, about 25 km from Imphal, where security personnel allegedly made a team of journalists and information officials mask 'Manipur State Transport' displayed on the bus they were in. The team was travelling on May 20 to cover the Shirui Lily Festival in the Naga-dominated Ukhrul district.
The incident was viewed as 'undermining the identity of Manipur, its name, pride and respect'. COCOMI demanded an apology from the Governor and the resignation of the State's Security Adviser Kuldiep Singh, Chief Secretary P.K. Singh, and Director-General of Police Rajiv Singh within 48 hours from Wednesday (May 21, 2025) midnight.
The civil disobedience campaign was launched to protest against the 'failure' of the Governor to apologise and the government's 'reluctance' to remove the three top officials. Responding to COCOMI's call, many protesters marched towards the Raj Bhavan to stage a protest. They were stopped on the way by the security personnel, leading to the scuffle.
'The deployment of such aggressive crowd control measures against unarmed civilians, including women, is deeply concerning,' COCOMI said. They also said a seven-member delegation of its members will leave for New Delhi on Monday (May 26, 2025) to hold a meeting with the officials of the Union Home Ministry the following day.
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