Protests Escalate in Manipur Over Government Actions

Intensified Protests by Student Groups in Manipur

The student faction of the Meitei civil society organization, Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity, ramped up their demonstrations against the Manipur administration on Tuesday. They locked two Union government offices in Imphal, protesting an incident from May 20 where the phrase 'Manipur State Transport' was obscured on a state-operated bus, as reported by a local news outlet.

Protesters secured the offices of the Chief Electoral Officer and the Geological Survey of India in Imphal West, demanding an apology from Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla. Their placards conveyed messages such as 'Apology to Manipur or Leave Manipur' and 'President’s Rule must stop insulting Manipur’s identity.'

This action was part of a larger campaign against Union government entities, marking the third day of ongoing protests.

On May 20, central security forces reportedly instructed a group of 20 journalists in Imphal East to conceal the 'Manipur State Transport' sign on the government bus they were using.

The incident took place at the Gwaltabi checkpoint while the journalists were en route to cover the Shirui Lily Festival, a cultural event organized by the state tourism department in the predominantly Naga Ukhrul district. The journey to Ukhrul traverses several Kuki villages.

Initially, the team attempted to follow the security forces' orders, but delays from negotiations led them to abandon their trip and return to Imphal.

The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity criticized the security personnel's actions, suggesting they were a calculated effort to undermine the legitimacy of the Manipur government.

Following the incident, public anger surged after reports emerged that the governor was transported by Army helicopter from Imphal airport to Kangla Fort, a mere 300 meters from the Raj Bhavan, to avoid road blockades set up by protesters.

Manipur has been embroiled in ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities, resulting in over 260 fatalities and displacing more than 59,000 individuals since May 2023. Violence has sporadically escalated into 2024.

President’s Rule was enacted in February after Chief Minister N Biren Singh's resignation, with Bhalla overseeing the administration since then.