The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (Cocomi) intensified its agitation against the central and state administration on Tuesday by locking two key central government offices in Imphal West — the offices of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) and the Geological Survey of India. This dramatic move was part of a broader statewide protest demanding an apology from the Governor, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, over a recent incident that has sparked public outrage.
The protests stem from a May 20 controversy during which security personnel allegedly ordered the removal of the words “Manipur State Transport” from a government bus transporting journalists to Ukhrul for the Shirui Lily Festival. Protesters see this as an attack on Manipur’s identity. In response, Cocomi’s student wing locked the government offices despite the presence of security forces, displaying placards that read “Apology to Manipur or Leave Manipur” and “President’s Rule must stop insulting Manipur’s identity.”
The protests have now entered their third day, with tensions escalating in the Imphal Valley. Public anger has also grown over reports that the Governor was airlifted in an army chopper from Imphal Airport to Kangla Fort — a short distance of about 300 metres — to avoid protesters blocking the roads. This has further fueled the perception of administrative collapse.
The Opposition Congress criticised the airlift and the imposition of President’s Rule in the state, calling it a sign of complete civil administration failure. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh lashed out at the Centre, stating that President’s Rule has made no difference and that Union Home Minister Amit Shah should resign for failing to bring stability to the state. He accused the Prime Minister of ignoring the worsening situation in Manipur while indulging in grandstanding speeches.
Amid the protests, a seven-member Cocomi delegation met officials from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in New Delhi. The closed-door meeting, which lasted two hours, included A.K. Mishra, adviser on Northeast affairs, and Rajesh Kamble, joint director of the MHA. The delegation demanded swift action on the resolutions passed at the May 3 People’s Convention in Imphal and expressed outrage over the Gwaltabi bus incident. Cocomi urged the home ministry to escalate their concerns to the highest levels of the Indian government, stressing the seriousness of the public’s grievances.
The unfolding situation highlights the deepening unrest and identity-based sensitivities in Manipur, with local groups demanding greater accountability and respect from central authorities.
