Manipur’s COCOMI announces 48-hour shutdown over ‘Manipur’ signage removal from bus; media, politicians condemn incident. Inquiry ordered amid Shirui Lily Festival. Leaders demand accountability, call it an assault on the state’s identity and press freedom.
The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a leading Meitei civil society body, has called for a 48-hour statewide shutdown starting Wednesday midnight. This follows a controversy involving the alleged removal of the word “Manipur” from a state transport bus by security personnel, which has triggered widespread outrage across the state.
The incident occurred on Tuesday when a media team, en route from Imphal to Ukhrul to cover the inauguration of the five-day Shirui Lily Festival, was reportedly stopped by security forces at Gwaltabi in Imphal East. According to the All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) and the Editors Guild Manipur (EGM), security personnel instructed the journalists to hide the inscription “Manipur State Transport Corporation” on the front of their bus.
In response, the AMWJU and EGM announced a “pen down” protest on Wednesday, denouncing what they termed as an insult to the dignity of both the media and the people of Manipur. The bus was carrying 20 journalists along with officials from the state’s Information Department.
Amid growing criticism, the Manipur government has instituted a two-member inquiry committee led by N. Ashok Kumar, Commissioner (Home), and Th. Kirankumar Singh, Secretary (Information Technology), to probe the matter. The committee has been directed to submit its findings within 15 days and recommend preventive measures against similar incidents in the future.
COCOMI Convenor Khuraijam Athouba condemned the incident as an “assault on Manipur’s identity,” demanding a formal apology from Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and the resignation of top state officials, including Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, Chief Secretary, and DGP Rajiv Singh.
The call for the shutdown is aimed at sending a strong message about preserving the state’s identity and dignity. Former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh also condemned the incident in a post on social media platform X, urging accountability for those responsible and expressing solidarity with the press and people of Manipur.
Political leaders across party lines, including Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba, and other community leaders, voiced their protest against the reported action.
Meanwhile, heightened security measures are in place during the Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul district, a predominantly Kuki tribal area. The festival, primarily organized by the Meitei community, celebrates the rare and endangered state flower—Shirui Lily—which blooms only in the Shirui hills and nowhere else in the world. The festival also fosters community bonding and promotes environmental conservation.
