IMPHAL, May 24: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has announced the launch of a statewide mass agitation starting 25 May 2025, following the failure of the Governor of Manipur to apologize for what the group describes as a grave insult to the state’s identity. The controversy erupted after the alleged restriction on the use of the name “Manipur” on MST buses travelling to Ukhrul for the Shirui Festival on 20 May 2025.

In a press statement issued on Saturday, COCOMI declared that the Governor and the Presidential Rule (PR) administration have shown “disdain for the sentiments of the people” by neither acknowledging nor apologizing for the incident within the 48-hour deadline previously set by the organization.

Key Declarations of the Mass Agitation:
1. Public Boycott of the Governor:
COCOMI has announced that the Governor of Manipur will be boycotted across all public, civil, and cultural platforms. No individual or organization is to invite, attend, or organize any event involving the Governor until a public apology is issued.

2. Statewide Public Mobilization Begins:
A series of mass protests, rallies, torch processions, and sit-ins will be held across all districts of Manipur. These actions aim to reflect the people’s collective resistance through democratic and non-violent means.

3. Non-Cooperation with PR Administration:
COCOMI has called for a civil disobedience campaign targeting the Presidential Rule administration. Citizens are urged to cease cooperation with Central Government offices whose decisions, the group claims, have undermined the state’s dignity.
Exemptions include Educational Institutions, Sports, Health, Banks, Postal Services, and other Essential Services.

4. Demand for Resignation of Top Officials:
COCOMI demands the immediate resignation of the Security Advisor, Director General of Police (DGP), and Chief Secretary for their alleged failures in handling the situation and allowing what the committee calls a “disgraceful” act.

5. Mass Demonstrations at Strategic Locations:
Protests will be intensified at:
• Raj Bhavan (Governor’s Residence)
• Central Government Offices
• District Headquarters and PR Offices

6. Community-Led Campaigns and Cultural Resistance:
COCOMI is calling upon communities, students, women’s groups, and civil society organizations (CSOs) to play an active role in organizing:
• Cultural expressions of Manipuri identity
• Door-to-door and loudspeaker campaigns to raise awareness and build support.

Key Demands Put Forward by COCOMI:
• Governor must tender a public apology to the people of Manipur.
• Immediate resignation of top administrative officials: Chief Secretary, Security Advisor, and DGP.
• Replacement of the current administrative inquiry committee with an independent inquiry panel headed by a retired Sessions or High Court Judge.
• Clarification of the Gwaltabi Incident to the public of Manipur.

COCOMI emphasizes that this movement is not a protest against peace, but a protest against what it describes as the surrender of governance to narco-terror threats, the alienation of Manipur’s people, and the erosion of the state’s identity under the PR governance.

“Manipur is not a negotiable term. It is our name, our soul, our heritage.
We shall defend it, united, unwavering, and until justice prevails,” COCOMI concluded.