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Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
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.
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.
India Today
6 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Manipur government denies issuing order to cover state name amid festival row
The Manipur Government has issued a firm clarification denying any directive to conceal the name 'Manipur' on an official bus, amid ongoing controversy surrounding an incident during the recently concluded Shirui a press release issued by the Chief Secretary, the government stated that there had been no instruction whatsoever, not even a remote consideration, to cover the state's name on the Manipur State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus, as alleged in various clarification follows criticism that erupted after a May 20 incident in which a bus ferrying journalists to the festival in Ukhrul was reportedly stopped and the word 'Manipur' on the vehicle was allegedly covered. The incident has drawn sharp reactions from several quarters, raising questions about the message it conveys amid ongoing unrest and efforts to restore the claims, the official statement said, 'There has been no such instruction, and the public is requested not to be misled by unverified assertions.' The government reiterated its appeal for cooperation in maintaining peace and public order during this sensitive period. advertisement The Shirui Festival, a major cultural event held in Ukhrul district, was organised as part of the state's broader normalcy-restoration to the Chief Secretary's statement, the event attracted around 1.7 lakh visitors, including families from both the valley and hill districts, as well as tourists from outside the provided tight security and ensured a safe environment throughout the celebrations. Despite the festival's success, the May 20 incident cast a shadow over the event and prompted the state administration to take swift government has expressed deep regret over the incident and confirmed that the Governor has constituted an Inquiry Committee comprising the Commissioner (Home) and the Secretary (IT) to investigate the matter thoroughly. The committee has been instructed to submit its findings within a specified assured that strict action will be taken against those found responsible, if any lapses are identified through the inquiry. "The state will also ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future,' the release its commitment to the unity and integrity of Manipur, the government reaffirmed that all its efforts are focused on establishing lasting peace. The public has once again been urged to extend full cooperation to the administration and law enforcement agencies in preserving order and harmony across the Watch
The Wire
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Wire
At Least Seven Injured in Manipur After Security Forces Fire Tear Gas to Stop March to Raj Bhavan
Menu हिंदी తెలుగు اردو Home Politics Economy World Security Law Science Society Culture Editor's Pick Opinion Support independent journalism. Donate Now Government At Least Seven Injured in Manipur After Security Forces Fire Tear Gas to Stop March to Raj Bhavan The Wire Staff 16 minutes ago The protesters were demanding an apology from Manipur governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla. People take part in a protest march towards Raj Bhavan over alleged removal of the Manipur state's name from a government bus, in Imphal on Sunday, May 25, 2025. Photo: PTI Real journalism holds power accountable Since 2015, The Wire has done just that. But we can continue only with your support. Contribute now New Delhi: At least seven people were injured after security forces in Manipur fired tear gas and smoke bombs on Sunday (May 25) to disperse protesters who were marching towards the Raj Bhavan in Imphal. The protest resulted after widespread outrage over an alleged directive that called for the removal of the word Manipur from a Manipur State Transport (MST) bus that was used during the Shirui Festival in the state's Ukhrul district, reported Northeast today. The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a prominent civil society group led the protesters who marched for around 500 metres before the security personnel stopped them. Thereafter, the police allegedly used force to disperse the crowd, with at least seven people getting injured. The protesters were demanding an apology from Manipur governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla. They also accused Bhalla of refusing to address the issue about the removal of the state's name from the MST bus. As a result of the incident, the COCOMI has demanded the resignation of the chief secretary, director general of police and security adviser of the state, saying that they are responsible for what the COCOMI termed as 'administrative failures and use of excessive force under President's rule.' The group has also announced a statewide agitation. Make a contribution to Independent Journalism Related News How the Arambai Tenggol Has Escaped a Ban and Charges of Separatism Despite Being Armed No Closure, Information or Compensation, Manipur Families Mourn Their Missing Myanmar's NUG Seeks Clarity from India on Border Operation That Killed 10 Two Years of Fire and Silence: Manipur in Pictures 'Situation Unlike Mizoram, Manipur': Nagaland Govt Urges Home Ministry to Revoke PAP Order No Need to Protect Those Involved in Wrongdoing, Says SC in Manipur Tapes Hearing After Two Years of Violence, People in Manipur's Relief Camps Ask Modi to Let Them Feel Like Indians Two Years of Violence: Manipur's Future is Still Uncertain From Balochistan to Kashmir, the Region's Unresolved Grievances Refuse To Stay Buried View in Desktop Mode About Us Contact Us Support Us © Copyright. All Rights Reserved.
India Today
25-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Fresh clashes erupt in Manipur over erasing state name from buses, shell gas used
Tensions erupted in Manipur on Sunday afternoon as hundreds of protesters marched towards the Raj Bhavan in Imphal, over a reported directive to remove the state's name from MST (Manipur State Transport) buses en route to the Shirui Festival in outraged protestors demanded an apology from Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and the resignation of the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police (DGP), and Security to a call by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), protesters gathered at Khwairamband and began a rally, covering about 500 metres, before being stopped by security forces near Kangla Gate, around 150 metres from the Raj Bhavan. Security personnel fired multiple rounds of smoke bombs and tear gas shells to disperse the crowd, resulting in minor injuries to more than five women. Protesters accused the governor and his administration of insulting Manipur's identity and disregarding the sentiments of the people."The governor continues to disregard the sentiments of the people through his silence. He and his administration have completely humiliated the state's historical and cultural legacy while administering the state," one protester said. advertisement They also criticised the inquiry commission set up by the government, calling it inadequate and lacking provisions to penalise those Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity condemned the move to remove 'Manipur' from the Manipur State Transport bus network, calling it divisive and unacceptable. The organisation has announced statewide agitation until their demands — including the resignations of top state officials — are met. As of Sunday evening, the governor's office had not issued any official statement on the Watch IN THIS STORY#Manipur
