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The Hindu
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Manipur govt will ensure Gwaltabi incident does not occur in future: Chief Secretary
Manipur Chief Secretary Prashant Kumar Singh on Thursday (May 29, 2025) said that the government will ensure that the incident at Gwaltabi, where security forces allegedly covered the state's name written in 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, the Chief Secretary said the recently concluded Shirui festival at Ukhrul district attracted about 1.70 lakh people, and people of all communities travelled with families from valley areas and other parts of the state as well as from outside the state. Mr. Singh acknowledged that an unfortunate incident happened at Gwaltabi on May 20 when a Manipur State Road Transport Bus ferrying journalists to the festival was stopped, and the name of the state written on the windshield was reportedly covered with a white paper, leading to widespread criticism. Over the last week, protests over the Gwaltabi incident have rocked the Meitei-inhabited Imphal Valley. Mr. Singh said, "That there had been no instructions whatsoever or even remote thought of covering the name of the State, as has been alleged. 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." Expressing regret over the incident, Mr. Singh also said the state administration has taken the reported untoward incident with utmost seriousness and the Governor has constituted an Inquiry Committee which will submit its report in a timebound manner. Urging all to maintain public order, Singh also assured all concerned that "Once the report is submitted and those responsible for the lapses, if any, are identified, strict action would be taken." "The state government will also ensure that such incident does not occur in future. The administration is committed to the integrity of the state of Manipur, and the only aim of all these efforts is to establish lasting peace in the state," Mr. Singh added.
Hans India
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
‘Manipur signage hiding row': Govt to take strict action if found guilty, says CS
Imphal: The Manipur government on Wednesday announced that strict action would be taken against those who are responsible for hiding the "Manipur State Transport Corporation" signage in front of the government bus on May 20. Manipur Chief Secretary Prashant Kumar Singh said that the state administration has taken the reported untoward incident (May 2) with utmost seriousness, and the incident is deeply regretted. 'In response, the Governor (Ajay Kumar Bhalla) has constituted an inquiry committee comprising the Commissioner, Home and the Secretary IT, which is to submit its report in a time-bound manner. We would like to assure all concerned that once the report is submitted and those responsible for the lapses, if any, are identified, strict action will be taken,' the Chief Secretary said in a statement. He said that the state would also ensure that such an incident does not recur in future, adding that the administration is committed to the integrity of the state of Manipur and the only aim of all these efforts is to establish lasting peace in the state. The administration once again requests all to cooperate in maintaining the public order, said the statement. The Chief Secretary said that the five-day (May 20 to 24) Shirui Lily Festival was organised in Ukhrul district as part of the normalcy-restoration process, and the festival attracted about 1.70 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 district to attend the festival as the state administration provided full-proof security and a safe environment for festive activities,' Singh said, however, one unfortunate incident occurred on May 20, when a Manipur State Road Transport Bus ferrying Journalists to the Shirui Lily Festival was stopped and the name of the state was reportedly covered, has drawn wide criticism. There had been no instructions whatsoever or even a remote thought of covering the name of the state, as has been alleged, he clarified. '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,' the Chief Secretary said. The media organisations earlier, in a joint letter to Governor Bhalla, had said that the security personnel instructed the media team to hide the "Manipur State Transport Corporation" signage in front of the bus carrying 20 journalists and some Information Department officials. Various political parties, leaders and organisations protested the incident. After a 48-hour shutdown in the six Imphal valley regions on May 21-23, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), the Meitei community apex body, since May 25, has been spearheading their second phase of agitation in Manipur in protest against the hide of the state's name from a government bus on May 20. The agitation includes a daily gherao at the main gate of the Governor's bungalow and holding rallies. The COCOMI also demanded a public apology from the Governor for the May 20 incident, and demanded the resignation of Chief Secretary Prashant Kumar Singh, Security Advisor to the government, Kuldiep Singh and Director General of Police Rajiv Singh, holding them responsible for failing to protect the dignity and integrity of the state of Manipur. In view of the five-day-long (May 20 to 24) Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul district, 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. Shirui Lily Festival, mostly organised by the Meitei community, is celebrated in honour of the state flower, the Shirui Lily.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
48-hour bandh in Manipur: Businesses, offices, educational institutions shut over bus name controversy - All you need to know
48-hour bandh in Manipur. NEW DELHI: Normal life in the Valley's five districts was disrupted for the second consecutive day on Friday due to a 48-hour state-wide bandh called by COCOMI, a Meitei organisation, protesting the removal of the state's name from a government bus. Business establishments, government offices, private offices, educational institutions remained shut, whilst public transport services were suspended. Private vehicles were restricted, with exceptions made for medical emergencies and those travelling to the Shirui Lily festival in Ukhrul district. In Bishnupur and Thoubal districts, women bandh supporters intercepted central security force vehicles and affixed 'Manipur/Kangleipak' to their windshields. Kangleipak refers to Manipur's historical name. Early Friday, bandh supporters instructed roadside vegetable vendors at Andro Parking, Kongba and Khurai areas in Imphal East district to cease operations. The bandh was also enforced in Uripok, Singjamei and Kwakeithel in Imphal West district. Thursday night witnessed a 2-kilometre torch rally with participants chanting "Manipur cannot be obliterated." Strategic locations leading to the Raj Bhavan are under central forces' surveillance. The state government initiated an investigation on Wednesday regarding allegations that security personnel compelled covering of the state's name on a bus transporting journalists to the Shirui Lily festival. Reports indicate that security forces halted a state-operated bus carrying journalists to the Ukhrul district tourism festival on Tuesday, compelling DIPR staff to obscure the state's name on the windscreen with white paper. A two-member inquiry committee was established to "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", per home department orders. The directive stated: "The committee shall investigate any lapses and recommend preventive measures for similar future situations." Commissioners N Ashok Kumar and secretary Th Kirankumar Singh comprise the committee, tasked to submit findings within 15 days. COCOMI launched a 48-hour general strike from Wednesday midnight, demanding governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla's apology and resignations from Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, DGP Rajiv Singh and Chief Secretary Prashant Kumar Singh. COCOMI convenor Khuraijam Athouba stated: "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." He added: "The people of Manipur demand to know under whose authority the decision was taken. It should be clarified to the public within 48 hours." The Shirui Lily festival resumes after two years in the state. After N Biren Singh's resignation as chief minister, Manipur is now under President's rule after violent clashes between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Manipur bus name row: Guv forms 2-member panel
Guwahati: Manipur governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Wednesday constituted a two-member committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding Tuesday morning's incident where the word 'Manipur' was removed from a state transport bus, triggering a huge controversy. The bus was carrying journalists from Imphal to Ukhrul district to cover the Shirui Lily Festival sponsored by the Manipur tourism department. The committee consists of commissioner (home) N Ashok Kumar and secretary (IT) Th Kirankumar Singh. "The committee shall look into any lapses and suggest measures to prevent the recurrence of such a situation in the future," read the order. The committee has been asked to submit its report within 15 days. The home department orders stated that the committee was constituted to examine facts and circumstances involving security personnel and the Manipur State Road Transport Bus carrying media persons to cover the Shirui Lily Festival on May 20 near Gwaltabi checkpoint in Imphal East district. The five-day Shirui Lily Festival, which governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla inaugurated on Tuesday, was overshadowed by security personnel allegedly asking for the removal of 'Manipur State Transport" from the bus. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Đăng ký Undo This led to journalists protesting at Raj Bhawan on Tuesday, followed by demonstrations by youths and women in Imphal on Wednesday. BJP's northeast in-charge Sambit Patra said the integrity of Manipur is non-negotiable, while the opposition Congress and prominent civil society organisations expressed concern over the security personnel's alleged instructions. Patra described the incident as an 'avoidable misunderstanding.' In his Tuesday social media post, Patra said, "I would like to congratulate the state of Manipur for successfully conducting the Shirui Lily festival after two years. Since May 17 to May 20, about three to four Manipur state transport buses carrying about 2,000 people travelled to Ukhrul, where the Shirui Lily Festival is being conducted. Today (Tuesday), an unfortunate incident happened, I believe, because of an avoidable misunderstanding. I firmly reiterate that as far as the integrity of Manipur is concerned, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah has maintained since his first press conference in Manipur that the integrity of Manipur is something which is non-negotiable, something which we always stand for." Patra emphasised that Manipur's return to festivities after two years should be celebrated and not conspired against. "Anyone who feels this is a conspiracy, I, on behalf of BJP, would like to assure that this is not a conspiracy and have faith in us," Patra said. Meanwhile, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (Cocomi) deemed the erasing of the name 'Manipur' from the bus as irresponsible and anti-state, announcing a 48-hour general strike from Wednesday midnight. At an Imphal press conference, Cocomi convener Khuraijam Athouba demanded the governor's apology and resignations of security advisor Kuldiep Singh, DGP Rajiv Singh, and chief secretary Prashant Kumar Singh, holding them accountable for diminishing Manipur's identity. He characterised the name removal as compromising the state's dignity and legitimacy. "We demand the immediate withdrawal of President's Rule and this kind of administration from Manipur. We need the people of the state to govern and rule over the state because they understand the significance and value of Manipur's name," he said.
