30-05-2025
Manipur bus row: CS says will ensure non-recurrence
1
2
3
Imphal: Manipur chief secretary
Prashant Kumar Singh
on Thursday said the govt will ensure that the incident at Gwaltabi, where security forces allegedly covered the state's name written on the windshield of a bus with a white paper, does not occur in future.
He said the administration is committed to the integrity of the state of Manipur.
Addressing a press conference with security advisor Kuldiep Singh, Singh presented a prepared statement without entertaining questions from journalists. He highlighted that the Shirui Festival in Ukhrul, organised as part of peace-building efforts, drew approximately 1.70 lakh attendees.
He said families from various communities, including those from the valley areas and beyond state borders, attended the festival in Ukhrul, facilitated by comprehensive security arrangements and a safe environment.
Talking about the May 20 incident involving a Manipur State Road Transport bus carrying journalists to the Shirui Festival at Gwaltabi, he clarified that no directives were issued regarding covering the state's name. "This has been amply clarified by the state govt as well as by the responsible political leadership. What transpired on the ground, would be revealed after a thorough inquiry ," he added.
"The state administration has taken the reported untoward incident with utmost seriousness and the incident is deeply regretted.
In response governor has constituted an inquiry committee comprising of the commissioner home and the IT secretary which is to submit its report in a time bound manner," he said.
The chief secretary guaranteed appropriate action against those responsible for any lapses once the report is submitted, ensuring such incidents would not recur. He concluded by affirming the administration's dedication to Manipur's integrity and their goal of establishing lasting peace, while requesting public cooperation in maintaining order.
