IMPHAL, May 22: Normal life came to a standstill across the Imphal Valley on Thursday as the 48-hour state-wide bandh called by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) came into effect. The bandh was declared in protest against the reported removal of the word “Manipur” from a government bus transporting journalists to the Shirui Lily Festival earlier this week.
The shutdown, which commenced at midnight on Wednesday, led to widespread closures in all five valley districts – Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Kakching, and Bishnupur. Commercial establishments, educational institutions, and both government and private offices remained shut. Public transportation was entirely off the roads.
Key areas such as Wangkhei, Khurai, and Kongba in Imphal East district, and Kwakeithel and Naoremthong in Imphal West district witnessed early morning street mobilizations by bandh supporters. Protesters burned tyres in several locations of the capital, expressing anger over the incident.
Security measures have been significantly tightened across Imphal to prevent any untoward incidents. Central security forces have been deployed at strategic locations, including roads leading to the Raj Bhawan.
The bandh follows outrage sparked by a May 20 incident, when it was alleged that security personnel forced the removal or concealment of the state’s name on a Manipur State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus carrying media personnel to the Shirui Lily Festival. In response to the growing controversy, the Manipur Governor on May 21 constituted a two-member inquiry committee to probe the matter.
As per a notification issued by the Home Department, the panel has been tasked with examining the facts and circumstances involving security personnel and the MSRTC bus at the Gwaltabi checkpost. It is expected to recommend preventive measures to avoid the recurrence of such incidents.
COCOMI has demanded an official apology from Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, along with the resignation of Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, Director General of Police Rajiv Singh, and Chief Secretary Prashant Kumar Singh.
