Imphal: Voices of outrageous people filled Imphal on Sunday as people stormed towards Raj Bhavan over alleged insult to Manipur’s identity by the President-ruled government.
People’s outcry began after a Manipur State Transport bus, ferrying journalists to Ukhrul to cover the inaugural event of the recently held Shirui Lily Festival on May 20, was stopped by central security jawans and ordered to remove the word “Manipur” from its signage. People regard the attitude of the jawans as an insult to the state’s identity. Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) demanded a public apology from the governor, resignation or immediate transfer of chief secretary PK Singh, security advisor Kuldiep Singh and DGP Rajiv Singh.
Tensions flared after a scuffle broke out between security forces and hundreds of protesters. At least eight protesters were injured in the security forces’ action with smoke bombs and tear gas. The protest was spearheaded by COCOMI. It was a part of the statewide mass agitation announced on Saturday following a 48-hour general strike across Manipur that ended on Friday midnight. Since early morning, large contingents of combined security forces were deployed at strategic locations around Imphal to prevent protesters from reaching Raj Bhavan.
Despite the heavy security, hundreds of protesters gathered at Khwairamband Ima Market and marched towards Raj Bhavan. They were intercepted and blocked near Kangla western gate, approximately 150 metres north of the Raj Bhavan’s main gate. Additional groups of protesters from Imphal East and Keishampat, Imphal West also attempted to converge on the Raj Bhavan. They were blocked at Palace Compound and Keishampat junctions.
Protesters chanted slogans “Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla must apologise to the public,” “Indian Army down down,” “Stop divide and rule policy”. “The governor disregards the sentiments of the people by his silence. His administration has completely humiliated the state’s historical and cultural legacy. The inquiry commission set up by the government lacks any provision for penal action,” said a protester.
COCOMI convenor Kh. Athouba condemned the security forces’ actions and expressed serious anxiety and dissatisfaction over the unwarranted use of mock bombs and tear gas on non-violent protesters, particularly women. “The deployment of such aggressive crowd-control measures is deeply concerning and unbecoming of a democratic administration.”
The statewide mass agitation will continue until the demands are met, Athouba said and demanded to end the use of excessive force against peaceful protesters, and accountability for the security personnel involved in the Imphal incident.
